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The Kick-A** Book of Cobra Kai: An Official Behind-the-Scenes Companion
The only official guide to the kick-a** world of Netflix’s Emmy Award-nominated and globally beloved show Cobra Kai.
Rachel Bertsche’s The Kick-A** Book of Cobra Kai is a celebration of the superfans—an essential companion to the show acting as a master sensei ready to guide readers through the karate-crazed San Fernando Valley. The legacy of The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai continues with never-before-seen photographs and illustrations as well as interviews with Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso), William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence), Martin Kove (John Kreese), Xolo Maridueña (Miguel Diaz), and Mary Mouser (Samantha LaRusso).
The show’s creators present an unprecedented look inside the making of Cobra Kai and the writing, directing, and production of this beloved franchise that has grown from scrappy underdog to a global phenomenon. Hear directly from the show’s crew and get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into fight choreography from the stunt team; journey with the set designers through the Valley, from the magical retreat of the Miyagi-do dojo to the humble strip mall that houses the Cobra Kai dojo; and learn from the composers how the bada** soundtrack for the show was conceived. And MUCH MORE!
Strike First. Strike Hard. No Mercy.
Rachel Bertsche’s The Kick-A** Book of Cobra Kai is a celebration of the superfans—an essential companion to the show acting as a master sensei ready to guide readers through the karate-crazed San Fernando Valley. The legacy of The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai continues with never-before-seen photographs and illustrations as well as interviews with Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso), William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence), Martin Kove (John Kreese), Xolo Maridueña (Miguel Diaz), and Mary Mouser (Samantha LaRusso).
The show’s creators present an unprecedented look inside the making of Cobra Kai and the writing, directing, and production of this beloved franchise that has grown from scrappy underdog to a global phenomenon. Hear directly from the show’s crew and get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into fight choreography from the stunt team; journey with the set designers through the Valley, from the magical retreat of the Miyagi-do dojo to the humble strip mall that houses the Cobra Kai dojo; and learn from the composers how the bada** soundtrack for the show was conceived. And MUCH MORE!
Strike First. Strike Hard. No Mercy.
- GenresNonfiction
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2022
7 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Bertsche
7 books221 followersRachel Bertsche is the author of The Kids Are in Bed: Finding Time for Yourself in the Chaos of Parenting, MWF Seeking BFF, and Jennifer, Gwyneth & Me. A former editor at O, The Oprah Magazine, her work has appeared in Marie Claire, More, Teen Vogue, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Fitness, Women’s Health, New York, CNN.com, and more. She lives in Chicago with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 31, 2022
The first official guide to the making of the hit series Cobra Kai.
Rachel Bertsche goes behind the scenes of one of my favourite TV series, but I felt that she only really scratched the surface. There are some good interviews with the lead actors, writers, stuntmen etc that are well worth a read. However, I felt that the book was perhaps aimed at a younger audience than myself. A lot of time is wasted discussing the characters & how they fit into the series & if you watch Cobra Kai than you know the answers already.
On the plus side there are plenty of good photographs from Cobra Kai & The Karate Kid films & it's good to finally have a book published about this great show. Next time I'll have to check out actor Ralph Macchio's book Waxing On, which shows his view on the iconic film that made him famous.
Rachel Bertsche goes behind the scenes of one of my favourite TV series, but I felt that she only really scratched the surface. There are some good interviews with the lead actors, writers, stuntmen etc that are well worth a read. However, I felt that the book was perhaps aimed at a younger audience than myself. A lot of time is wasted discussing the characters & how they fit into the series & if you watch Cobra Kai than you know the answers already.
On the plus side there are plenty of good photographs from Cobra Kai & The Karate Kid films & it's good to finally have a book published about this great show. Next time I'll have to check out actor Ralph Macchio's book Waxing On, which shows his view on the iconic film that made him famous.
August 12, 2024
Had too lol. Love this show
January 15, 2023
Just finished my first book of 2023, “The Kick-A** Book of Cobra Kai: An Official Behind-the-Scenes Companion Book” by Rachel Bertsche (2022). This is a really fun behind-the-scenes book on the Netflix series with lots of cool photos and interviews with all involved (the showrunners, actors, writers, directors, stunt coordinators, production designers, etc. Traces the genesis of the project from the early love of the original 1980s “Karate Kid” movies by the three men who who go on to create and produce “Cobra Kai”, Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, through their convincing Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso) and William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence) to step back into their famous roles.
The selling of the series concept to YouTube (who carried the series on their YouTube Red the first two seasons), the casting of the other roles, the shooting the series, the series popularity especially after it moved to Netflix, the biggest fan moments like the returns of various other characters from the original “Karate Kid” movies and how many of the themes of the series transcend the generations, the young teenage characters going through many of the same experiences that Daniel and Johnny’s generation did back in the 80s.
And perhaps the most fun element of “Cobra Kai”, the unexpected development and redemption of quintessential 80s bad boy, Johnny Lawrence (while at the same time keeping him a man firmly stuck in the 80s thinking wise, to often humorous effect).
Daniel LaRusso’s journey from where we last saw him in “The Karate Kid: Part III” to being a family man with a wife, two children, and a successful businessman, seemingly the opposite of the perennially down on his luck Johnny, is also explored, and how the sudden return of Johnny and Cobra Kai dojo (re-opened by Johnny) brings Daniel to the realization that he has become out of touch with his kids and with his own life’s focus (his beloved mentor, Mr. Miyagi, having passed away seven years prior to the start of the series. It makes Daniel decide to resume his karate and to train his daughter and other teens in the Miyagi style of karate.
As I said, a very fun, well written book for fans of “The Karate Kid” films and “Cobra Kai” series (and a great companion to Ralph Macchio’s recently released “Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me” memoir book). I gave “The Kick-A** Book of Cobra Kai: An Official Behind-the-Scenes Companion Book” four out of five stars on GoodReads.
The selling of the series concept to YouTube (who carried the series on their YouTube Red the first two seasons), the casting of the other roles, the shooting the series, the series popularity especially after it moved to Netflix, the biggest fan moments like the returns of various other characters from the original “Karate Kid” movies and how many of the themes of the series transcend the generations, the young teenage characters going through many of the same experiences that Daniel and Johnny’s generation did back in the 80s.
And perhaps the most fun element of “Cobra Kai”, the unexpected development and redemption of quintessential 80s bad boy, Johnny Lawrence (while at the same time keeping him a man firmly stuck in the 80s thinking wise, to often humorous effect).
Daniel LaRusso’s journey from where we last saw him in “The Karate Kid: Part III” to being a family man with a wife, two children, and a successful businessman, seemingly the opposite of the perennially down on his luck Johnny, is also explored, and how the sudden return of Johnny and Cobra Kai dojo (re-opened by Johnny) brings Daniel to the realization that he has become out of touch with his kids and with his own life’s focus (his beloved mentor, Mr. Miyagi, having passed away seven years prior to the start of the series. It makes Daniel decide to resume his karate and to train his daughter and other teens in the Miyagi style of karate.
As I said, a very fun, well written book for fans of “The Karate Kid” films and “Cobra Kai” series (and a great companion to Ralph Macchio’s recently released “Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me” memoir book). I gave “The Kick-A** Book of Cobra Kai: An Official Behind-the-Scenes Companion Book” four out of five stars on GoodReads.
May 29, 2023
Loved it. Can't wait to do a full on re-watch and notice even more easter eggs.
July 2, 2024
Fun book to read, ton's of pictures.
January 12, 2026
Rating: A
June 18, 2025
Summary:
A behind the scenes book of the cobra Kai TV show.
Provides quotes from both the actors and directors that give insight into the characters mindsets and motivations which might not have been too obvious from watching the show.
Has fun little tidbits every few pages such as Johnny’s road trips songs, an interaction between Louie and Anoosh, and Easter eggs within the show.
A behind the scenes book of the cobra Kai TV show.
Provides quotes from both the actors and directors that give insight into the characters mindsets and motivations which might not have been too obvious from watching the show.
Has fun little tidbits every few pages such as Johnny’s road trips songs, an interaction between Louie and Anoosh, and Easter eggs within the show.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews