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"Mercy is for the weak."
John Kreese

John Kreese

―John Kreese[src]

John Kreese, known mononymously as Kreese, is the main antagonist of The Karate Kid franchise, serving as the main antagonist of The Karate Kid, the opening antagonist of The Karate Kid Part II, and the overarching antagonist of The Karate Kid Part III, as well as the main antagonist of the TV show Cobra Kai. In the latter, he serves as the overarching antagonist of Season 1, the main antagonist of Seasons 2-3, the secondary antagonist of Season 4, a major anti-hero in Season 5, and one of the main antagonists of Season 6. He is the sensei, later archenemy of Johnny, the best friend of Terry Silver, and the founder of Cobra Kai.

He is a viscous Vietnam War veteran and sensei of the 1980s karate dojo, Cobra Kai. He instilled a dangerous philosophy of "no mercy" in his students and encouraged generations of bullies. Most notably, Kreese taught karate to a teenaged Johnny Lawrence and feuded with his karate rival Mr Miyagi. After repeated losses at the hands of Daniel LaRusso and Mr Miyagi, Kreese fled the valley and lost contact with his students.

Over thirty years later, Johnny Lawrence reopened Cobra Kai, triggering Kreese to make a surprise return to the valley. He eventually acquires the dojo through nefarious means, becoming the Sensei to an entirely new generation of students.

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