Big Red

"Go ahead. We're not the ones who broke in."

―Big Red talking to Amanda LaRusso, who threaten to call the Police^[src]

Big Red is a minor character in the Netflix original series, Cobra Kai. He is portrayed by Christopher Ryan Lewis. Big Red was a student at Cobra Kai Dojo and a friend of Hawk's, before the latter betrayed Cobra Kai to join the opposing dojo.

Cobra Kai[]

Season 2[]

After witnessing Miguel’s impressive performance at the All-Valley tournament, Big Red, a young and ambitious fighter, decides to join Cobra Kai, bringing along his younger brother, Little Red. Inspired by Miguel’s victory and eager to prove himself, Big Red believes that Cobra Kai’s brutal training and toughened philosophy will shape him into a stronger fighter. However, the reality of life under Sensei Kreese’s strict and unforgiving methods quickly begins to take a toll. While Little Red and several other students struggle with the harshness of Kreese’s teachings, eventually quitting in search of something less extreme, Big Red remains resolute. He chooses to endure the relentless training, convinced that the pain and discipline are necessary for growth.

As time passes, Big Red becomes deeply enmeshed in the Cobra Kai lifestyle. He throws himself into the dojo’s eccentric training sessions, which are often physically demanding and sometimes borderline dangerous. Outside of the dojo, the culture of Cobra Kai includes wild parties and frequent brawls, which Big Red eagerly participates in. While the chaotic and at times reckless behavior of the dojo members might raise some eyebrows, Big Red sees it all as part of the journey to becoming a true warrior. His commitment to Cobra Kai and its philosophy becomes all-consuming as he grows more entrenched in its mindset.

Everything changes during the infamous school fight. In the midst of the escalating violence, Big Red gets into a heated altercation with his younger brother, Little Red, driven by the animosity and confusion brewing between them. The two brothers exchange harsh blows, a reflection of the toxic and aggressive atmosphere they’ve been conditioned to embrace at Cobra Kai. The situation takes a devastating turn when Miguel, in the chaos of the fight, falls off a balcony and crashes to the ground, suffering a life-altering injury. The sight of Miguel’s horrific fall shocks both brothers, and Big Red is forced to confront the consequences of the violence that the dojo has instilled in them.

The fallout from the incident is swift and brutal. Cobra Kai members, under Kreese’s influence, immediately begin to place the blame on Johnny for the incident. They accuse him of straying from the dojo’s core teachings and embracing mercy, which they believe led to the tragedy. Big Red, who once believed in Johnny’s approach, now finds himself torn. As Kreese’s grip on the dojo tightens, the students, including Little Red, begin to turn their backs on Johnny and side with Kreese’s vision of karate, which is grounded in toughness and no mercy. Big Red, while still caught in the dojo’s toxic culture, becomes more deeply conflicted. He begins to question whether the path he’s chosen, alongside his brother, was truly the right one.

Despite his inner turmoil, Big Red remains loyal to Cobra Kai for the time being, driven by the fear that leaving would mean abandoning everything he’s worked for. But as the rift between Johnny and Kreese widens, Big Red is forced to confront his own role in the fallout. His dedication to Cobra Kai becomes a double-edged sword, as he grapples with the cost of staying loyal to the dojo and the damage it has caused to those around him, including his own brother.

Big Red’s journey highlights the complexity of his character, torn between his loyalty to Cobra Kai and his growing disillusionment with the path it’s leading him down. His experiences with the dojo, the escalating violence, and the broken relationship with his brother leave him questioning whether the fight for strength is worth the emotional and physical toll it has taken.

Season 3[]

After the chaotic events of the school fight, Big Red remains committed to his place in Cobra Kai, fully embracing its toxic, no-mercy mindset. At school, he can be seen laughing and joking with the other Cobra Kai members, relishing in the chaos they continue to stir. One day, Red is with Hawk when the latter destroys a science project that Demetri worked hard on, a display of the cruelty that’s become a trademark of their dojo. Red finds amusement in the situation, fully in tune with the destructive behavior that Cobra Kai encourages.

Later that day, Red participates in a soccer game, where tensions flare between the players, and a fight almost breaks out. Despite the heated moment, Red and the other Cobra Kai students manage to avoid getting into trouble, thanks to their intimidation and reputation. Their defiance of authority is left unchecked, further solidifying their dominance in the school.

A few weeks later, Red takes part in the infamous Fight at Golf N' Stuff, where the Cobra Kai members continue to prove their unrelenting aggression. In a defining moment, Red watches with satisfaction as Hawk, egged on by the dojo's brutal code, breaks Demetri’s arm, solidifying the idea of "No Mercy." This event deeply cements the ruthless nature of Cobra Kai, and Red feels both loyalty and pride in participating in such an act of violence.

As new recruits join Cobra Kai, Red witnesses more of the dojo's unforgiving tactics. He watches Hawk brutally beat up Brucks, a fellow student, with alarming indifference. Red, along with Hawk and Edwin, targets Mitch for losing to Kyler, a fighter with no formal training, bullying him relentlessly. The dynamic of dominance and cruelty continues to grow, with Red taking part in the torment without hesitation.

That same day, Johnny Lawrence makes an attempt to reach out to his students, hoping to persuade them to join his new dojo, Eagle Fang Karate. Johnny tries to appeal to their better nature, offering them a chance for redemption and a different path. But despite the opportunity to join a more positive environment, Red remains loyal to Kreese and the Cobra Kai principles. His allegiance to the dojo, and its toxic ideology, overrides any desire for change, and he continues to stand with Cobra Kai, ignoring Johnny’s attempt at guidance.

Season 4[]

As the All Valley Karate Tournament approaches, Big Red continues his training with Cobra Kai, working alongside his fellow teammates like Kyler, Tory, Robby Keene, and newcomer Kenny Payne. The dojo's intensity increases as the competition draws near, with Red staying focused on honing his skills. One night, the Cobra Kai team gathers at a drive-in theater to watch Bloodsport, a classic martial arts movie. While watching, Red and the rest of the group enjoy each other's company, cracking jokes and bonding over the film's fight scenes.

However, their fun quickly turns into tension when they encounter Miyagi-Do students at the theater. The animosity between the two dojos is immediate, and the situation threatens to escalate. Knowing that they can't fight in public because of their sensei's agreement with the other dojos, Miguel suggests they settle things later at the baseball diamond. The Cobra Kai group agrees, and when they arrive at the location, Miguel takes advantage of the situation, turning on the sprinklers and soaking the Miyagi-Do students, turning the moment into a humiliating spectacle for their rivals. Big Red, drenched in water, stands with his teammates, seething with frustration, but unable to retaliate due to the situation's complexity.

In the episode "Party Time," Big Red appears once again, reacting with amusement as Stingray kicks Greg out of the party. He laughs along with his Cobra Kai teammates, enjoying the chaotic energy of the gathering. Things take a wild turn when Miguel, Sam, and Tory end up falling into the pool, and Red, in typical Cobra Kai fashion, jumps in after them, embracing the fun of the moment.

When the All Valley Karate Tournament begins, Red watches from the sidelines as his fellow teammates compete in their matches. He’s focused on cheering for his friends and allies as Cobra Kai battles for supremacy. The energy in the air is charged with anticipation. When Tory faces off against Sam in the girls' finals, Red watches intently. When Tory wins, securing the championship for Cobra Kai, Red erupts with joy, celebrating her victory and feeling a sense of pride for their dojo's dominance. This moment cements Red's loyalty to Cobra Kai, fully embracing its principles of strength, aggression, and "No Mercy."

Season 5[]

Big Red remains a loyal member of Cobra Kai under the strict guidance of Sensei Terry Silver, continuing to embrace the dojo’s brutal philosophy. During this period, he takes part in bullying Anthony LaRusso, who had previously tormented his fellow Cobra, Kenny Payne. Red joins Kenny in exacting revenge on Anthony, showing little mercy and using his position within Cobra Kai to reinforce the power dynamics they’ve created.

As the Sekai Taikai draws closer, Red trains rigorously alongside his teammates. During the Sekai Taikai initiation, he demonstrates his skills with pride, showcasing his expertise and dedication. He cheers loudly for Kenny as the latter competes in his match, feeling a deep sense of camaraderie and loyalty. Red, like many of his fellow Cobra Kai members, is taken aback when the Miyagi-Fangs manage to win the girls’ fight, earning a spot in the Sekai Taikai alongside Cobra Kai. This unexpected result fuels Red’s competitive nature, and he becomes more determined to ensure Cobra Kai dominates in the upcoming competition.

When the Miyagi-Dos and Eagle Fangs, joined by a remorseful Tory, make a bold move to infiltrate Cobra Kai’s dojo, hoping to uncover incriminating evidence against Silver, Red is among the Cobra Kai students who respond to the threat. Mitch, who has rejoined Cobra Kai after feeling disrespected by the Miyagi-Fangs, tips them off about the break-in. Red and several of his Cobra Kai teammates are tasked with guarding the outside of the dojo to ensure that no one enters while the others deal with the intruders inside. However, when Kim Da-Eun, sent by Silver, arrives to clean up the mess after noticing the break-in through a hidden security camera, Red and his companions stand their ground, waiting outside.

The situation escalates when Stingray, along with Daniel LaRusso, Carmen, and Amanda, arrive at the dojo. In a tense confrontation, Stingray takes on Red and the other Cobra Kai members outside. Despite their best efforts to defend their dojo, Red and his teammates are outmatched, and they are quickly defeated in the ensuing fight.

After the battle, as things settle down, Red offers his younger brother a ride home. The two exchange a brief but meaningful conversation, with Little Red grumbling about being late getting home. Red, ever the protective older brother, reassures him by saying, "I got your back," solidifying their sibling bond. Despite the ongoing tension and the violence surrounding them, Red remains committed to his brother and the Cobra Kai dojo.

Season 6[]

Big Red, having left Cobra Kai for a time, reunites with his younger brother, Little Red, at Miyagi-Do. Despite not being selected to represent the dojo in the Sekai Taikai tournament, Red continues his training under Daniel LaRusso's guidance. Although initially skeptical about Miyagi-Do’s more peaceful and disciplined approach, Big Red finds himself embracing the techniques and philosophies instilled by the dojo. His bond with Little Red strengthens as they both train together, pushing each other to improve and refine their skills.

Despite not being part of the team going to Barcelona for the Sekai Taikai, Red remains committed to his training, continuing to work alongside the Miyagi-Do students. He attends regular sessions, eager to improve, even though he’s not competing on the international stage. His loyalty to his brother and the dojo keeps him grounded, even if he harbors some disappointment over not being chosen.

Later, when the Sekai Taikai semi-finals are underway, Red is among the guests gathered at the LaRusso house to watch the pivotal matches. Alongside Little Red and other members of the dojo, he watches intently as his former teammates and rivals compete on the world stage. While his participation in the tournament may have ended, Red’s support for the Miyagi-Do team remains unwavering. He cheers on the students, hoping they will emerge victorious and prove the strength of their combined effort. The event serves as a reminder of his growth as both a fighter and an individual, as he continues to evolve outside of the intense Cobra Kai mentality.

Trivia[]

Head of the Snake marked the first episode where Big Red had a speaking line.
Big Red was supposed to fight his little brother during the school fight, pushing him into a locker and getting kicked in the groin, but it ended up getting cut.
During the All-Valley in season 4, Big Red was supposed to fanboy during Carrie Underwood’s performance. However, the footage of his excited reaction was unfortunately deleted, missing the chance for fans to see his moment of enthusiasm.