Cobra Kai: Why Hawk Joined Miyagi-Do Instead of Eagle Fang

In a surprising turn of events, Hawk joined Miyagi-Do instead of returning to Eagle Fang in the middle of Cobra Kai season 4. Considering one of Hawk’s dominate traits is his loyalty, watching him leave the sensei and friends that supported his journey to get stronger only to don Miyagi-Do’s white gi was quite the shock. However, upon closer examination, Hawk’s decision to join Miyagi-Do properly fit the development of his character.

Cobra Kai season 4 started up right where season 3 left off; Eagle Fang and Miyagi-Do teamed up in order to take down Cobra Kai in the All Valley Tournament. However, the two dojos often found themselves clashing with the other’s teaching methods and eventually dissolved their temporary partnership. While tensions rose between Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Hawk (Jacob Bertrand) was attacked by members of Cobra Kai under the orders of Robby Keene (Tanner Buchanan). Though physically unharmed, Hawk was mentally shaken by the sudden ambush that resulted in the loss of his mohawk. Feeling utterly powerless and defeated, Hawk chose to quit karate for good. This choice was short-lived, but with the recent split of Eagle Fang and Miyagi-Do’s alliance, a new choice had to be made.

After Robby shattered Hawk’s fighting spirit and self-assurance, only one person helped him get back on his feet: his best friend Demetri Alexopoulos (Gianni DeCenzo). Time and time again, Cobra Kai’s morally sound Demetri tried to preserve his friendship with Hawk and this incident was no exception. Even when Hawk was acting like a heartless bully, Demetri continued to view Hawk as his “binary brother” and fought desperately for Hawk to see how much he treasured him. At this moment, when Hawk was at his absolute lowest, Hawk recognized Demetri’s loyalty. He may not have wanted to return to karate, but he did want to reciprocate this loyalty. In order to do so, Hawk chose to support his best friend by leaving Eagle Fang to join the dojo Demetri belonged to: Miyagi-Do. Much like when Hawk turned on John Kreese’s Cobra Kai, the friendship between Demetri and Hawk prevailed above all else.

Throughout Cobra Kai season 4, Hawk was experiencing an identity crisis between being the timid, but brilliant Eli and the confident, but cruel Hawk. When Eli called himself Hawk, he distanced himself from the characteristics he deemed to be nerdy and lame. However, once Hawk lost his signature hairstyle, he lost his confidence. Demetri was the one who reminded his best friend that he was both Eli and Hawk. The two were not mutually exclusive. Cobra Kai and by extension Eagle Fang created Hawk, but rejected Eli. In order for Eli/Hawk to accept his identity, he needed to be in an environment that would welcome Eli and Hawk. Miyagi-Do was the place where he could just be himself.

At the championship match of the All Valley Tournament, Hawk had to face off against Robby – the very person responsible for sending him into a downward spiral. On the surface, Hawk was the logical choice, considering he was the only competitor skilled in both Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai karate like Robby. However, Hawk also had to confront Robby in order to take back the fighting spirit and self-assurance that Robby crushed. By defeating Robby, Hawk was able to reclaim what he lost. Though the events in the next season of Cobra Kai are still shrouded in mystery, Hawk’s self-esteem will likely be untouchable.

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