Karate Kid Legends Ending Explained With Mr. Han and Daniel

Nivedita Dubey
May 30, 2025

Summary:

In Karate Kid Legends, Li Fong wins the 5 Boroughs tournament using a mix of kung fu and karate techniques taught by Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso.
The story blends The Karate Kid (1984) and the 2010 remake, with Li training an adult instead of the usual dynamic.
The ending includes a Cobra Kai nod as Johnny Lawrence and Daniel reunite briefly.

Karate Kid: Legends merges two generations of the Karate Kid franchise by intertwining characters from both the 1984 and 2010 films. Set in New York, the film follows Li Fong, who is mentored by Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso as he balances his past, present, and future in a martial arts showdown that’s both emotional and thrilling.

How Does Li Fong’s Journey Begin in Karate Kid Legends?

Li Fong moves from China to New York with his mother, Dr. Wen (Ming-Na Wen), who takes a job at a hospital. He gradually adjusts to his new environment and forms bonds with Victor (Joshua Jackson), a pizzeria owner, and Mia (Sadie Stanley), Victor’s daughter. Conflict arises when Connor Day (Aramis Knight), Mia’s ex and a local gym’s top fighter, assaults Li at school.

Things take a twist when Li helps Victor during an altercation with debt collectors. Grateful and inspired, Li begins training Victor for a boxing match, flipping the franchise’s traditional mentor-student dynamic. However, Victor is seriously injured in the ring by an opponent using illegal blows, pushing Li to enter the 5 Boroughs tournament to help his new family financially.

What Role Do Mr. Han and Daniel Play in Li’s Training?

Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan in Karate Kids Legends

Following Victor’s injury, Mr. Han urges Li to enter the tournament. He also contacts Daniel LaRusso, revealing that he knew Mr. Miyagi in his youth. Together, Han and Daniel train Li using a blend of kung fu and karate, embodying the phrase “Two branches, one tree.”

This collaboration is symbolized when Daniel gives Li a Miyagi-Do headband, signifying the legacy being passed down. Their joint mentorship plays a pivotal role in helping Li prepare both mentally and physically for the tournament.

How Does Li Overcome His Fears in the 5 Boroughs Tournament?

Li’s mother initially forbids him from fighting due to the tragic death of his brother, who was killed after a kung fu tournament. This trauma causes Li to freeze during high-stress moments, including Victor’s injury. However, entering the tournament becomes a way to confront these fears.

As he progresses through the tournament, Li refines a hybrid fighting style, mixing the precision of karate with the fluidity of kung fu. In the final round, he faces Connor Day once again and executes the “dragon kick,” a move his brother once tried to teach him. After Connor attempts a cheap shot post-defeat, Li knocks him down, but chooses to show respect by helping him up—earning applause from the crowd.

How Does the Film Connect to Cobra Kai?

Though Karate Kid: Legends exists separately from Cobra Kai, the ending includes a subtle crossover. After winning the tournament, Li uses his prize money to help Victor and Mia open a second pizzeria. He sends a special pizza to Daniel, who brings it into his dojo.

Inside, Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) appears, joking about karate-themed pizzas. This light moment confirms Cobra Kai’s continuity while keeping Legends as a standalone story.