Brian Takahashi, the actor who portrays Young Miyagi in Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 2, sat down with Pop Culture Unplugged to discuss his journey into one of the most iconic roles in film and television history. From the unexpected audition process to the emotional weight of stepping into Pat Morita’s legendary shoes, Brian shared fascinating insights into how he prepared to play a younger version of Mr. Miyagi. With Part 3 of Season 6 on the horizon and fans eagerly awaiting more, Brian's portrayal has already left a lasting impact on the Cobra Kai universe.
An Unexpected Audition Turned Life-Changing Role
Brian’s journey to playing Young Miyagi started with an audition for a different character. “The initial audition wasn’t even for Young Miyagi,” Brian revealed. “It was for a no-name Japanese sensei character in a tournament. I sent in my tape, but I didn’t hear back for a while. Then, a few days before the shoot, my agent called and said, ‘Actually, you’ve booked the role of Young Miyagi.’ That’s when I realized the magnitude of the opportunity.”
Interestingly, the audition process for Cobra Kai comes with a layer of secrecy. “When you get an audition for Cobra Kai, it’s under a code name called ‘The Arbor.’ But this time, it actually said Cobra Kai, which was unusual and exciting.”
Stepping Into the Shoes of an Icon
Pat Morita’s portrayal of Mr. Miyagi is legendary, and Brian knew the weight of the role he was taking on. “Mr. Miyagi isn’t just a character; he’s an icon. Pat Morita made him the heart of The Karate Kid franchise,” Brian said. “It was a lot of pressure stepping into that role because fans have a deep emotional connection to Miyagi.”
Brian made it clear that his goal wasn’t to imitate Pat Morita but to capture the essence of the character. “I wasn’t trying to do an exact imitation. I wanted to pay homage to Pat’s performance while bringing something new to the role,” he explained.
He dove deep into the Karate Kid films to study Miyagi’s mannerisms and speech patterns. “I watched every scene with Mr. Miyagi to understand his cadence and how he delivered his iconic lines. There’s a specific rhythm to the way he speaks, and I wanted to make sure I honored that.”
The Fan Reaction: A Huge Relief
One of Brian’s biggest concerns was how fans would react to his portrayal. “The fanbase is passionate. They’ve grown up with Mr. Miyagi, and he’s a beloved character. I was worried they might not accept me as a young version of him,” Brian admitted.
Fortunately, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. “The feedback has been great. Fans have been very kind, and that’s such a relief,” he said. “Even some of the executive producers gave me compliments. One told me, ‘You gave me goosebumps. It felt like Pat was back.’ That was one of the best compliments I’ve ever received.”
A Personal Connection to Pat Morita
Interestingly, Brian met Pat Morita when he was a child, long before he ever saw The Karate Kid. “My mom used to work in downtown LA, and I met a lot of Japanese-American actors as a kid. I thought they were just my mom’s friends,” he laughed. “When I finally watched The Karate Kid, I was like, ‘Wait, that’s the guy I met!’ I didn’t realize he was an actor. It was surreal.”
Growing up as a Japanese-American, Brian appreciated the depth Pat Morita brought to the character. “Mr. Miyagi wasn’t just a stereotype. Pat gave him a rich backstory and layers. He made Miyagi a fully realized character.”
The Challenges of Playing Young Miyagi
Brian discussed the unique challenges of playing a younger version of Mr. Miyagi, especially given the dreamlike nature of the scene in which he appears. “This is Daniel’s dream, so it’s not necessarily a historically accurate version of Miyagi,” Brian said. “It’s how Daniel remembers him. That gave me some creative freedom.”
One of the key challenges was nailing the distinctive Miyagi accent. “It’s not a traditional Japanese accent. It’s very specific to Mr. Miyagi. If you don’t know that accent, you probably shouldn’t be auditioning for the role,” he joked.
Another challenge was learning the fight choreography in just two days. “I was supposed to be in Atlanta for two weeks to learn everything, but due to a scheduling conflict, I only had two days. It was intense, but we made it work.”
Favorite Characters in the Franchise
When asked about his favorite characters in the Karate Kid universe, Brian didn’t hesitate. “Mr. Miyagi is my favorite in the films, of course. In Cobra Kai, I really like Johnny Lawrence. William Zabka brings so much depth and humor to that character. His arc from Season 1 to Season 6 is incredible.”
Brian also gave a shout-out to Tori Nichols, played by Peyton List. “I love Tori’s character. She’s been through so much, but she never gives up. Out of all the young cast, I think Tori could end up being the next big mentor figure in the series.”
Hopes for a Miyagi Prequel
With the success of Cobra Kai and ongoing talks about potential spinoffs, fans have been clamoring for a Miyagi prequel. Brian is open to the idea but believes it needs to be handled with care.
“If they do a Miyagi prequel, it has to be done right. Mr. Miyagi’s story is deeply tied to the Japanese-American experience, particularly during and after World War II,” Brian explained. “It’s a story that hasn’t been told enough in mainstream media, and it would be an incredible way to shed light on that history.”
Brian hopes a potential prequel would explore Miyagi’s life before he met Daniel, including his time in the internment camps and his personal struggles after the war. “It wouldn’t be a happy story, but it would be powerful. And it would give fans a deeper understanding of who Miyagi is and why he became the man we know in The Karate Kid.”
What’s Next for Brian Takahashi?
While Brian couldn’t share too many details about his upcoming projects, he did hint at something big on the horizon. “I’m working on a project that’s under NDA, so I can’t say much. But it’s a long-term project that won’t be out until 2027. It’s keeping me busy, and I’m excited to see where it goes.”
He also expressed hope for more opportunities within the Cobra Kai universe. “If they want to do more with Young Miyagi, I’m ready. I’d love to continue exploring that character.”
Final Thoughts: A Legacy in the Making
Brian Takahashi’s portrayal of Young Miyagi has added a new layer to one of the most beloved characters in pop culture history. His dedication to honoring Pat Morita’s legacy while bringing his own interpretation to the role has resonated with fans and creators alike.
As Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 3 approaches, fans eagerly await more Miyagi moments—and perhaps even a full prequel series in the future.
In the meantime, you can follow Brian Takahashi on Instagram at @the_brian_takahashi for updates on his latest projects.
Catch Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 2 on Netflix now, and stay tuned for Part 3!