Why Axel Is More Susceptible To Sensei Wolf's Manipulations In Cobra Kai Season 6 Than Zara Explained By Star

The article contains spoilers for the Cobra Kai series finale.Cobra Kai star Patrick Luwis, who portrays Axel, explains why his character is easily manipulated by Sensei Wolf. After running for six seasons, the Netflix series has finally ended, with the Sekai Taikai becoming a major tournament for many main Cobra Kai characters to find closure in their karate life. In doing so, a formidable dojo, Iron Dragon, was introduced and contained strong players like Zara and Axel, who would face the best of the Miyagi-Do students. As the series progressed, it became clear that Axel had to commit some terrible acts during the tournament under the command of his sensei.

During a recent interview with ScreenRant, Luwis discussed why Axel is more susceptible to manipulation by Sensei Wolf than Zara, as both are captains of the Iron Dragons. He explained that Axel's internal struggles with self-worth, particularly in the context of fighting, make him an easy target. He elaborated that Zara has developed a sense of control in other areas of her life, especially through her social media presence, while Axel’s understanding of strength is tied solely to his abilities as a fighter. Check out his full comments below:

I think she has control in other areas. I think she has control with how she's found her internet personality with her social media. I think she's found control and a confidence in that. I think I really just have confidence as a fighter, and I don't really have it in many other areas. So, I sort of allow him to treat me the way that he treats me, probably because I've convinced myself to believe that's what's helping me win, that's what's turned me into this warrior. So, I think that's really where it's coming from with him, he's just allowed it to happen because he's conditioned to think that this is the kind of treatment that you have to allow yourself to [take] in order to become the best, which is really sad.

What This Means For Axel's Character Development In Cobra Kai

Sensei Wolf's Conditioning Presented Consequences For Axel & Zara

Axel’s susceptibility to manipulation reveals the character's complex nature, particularly as one of Cobra Kai's villains. He believes that this is the only way to become the best fighter, but this is also an example of the mental hardship that even antagonists face in the series. Zara has at least cultivated her confidence through her own means, but Axel has solely relied on his strength to be the best. However, this gets complicated when he develops feelings for Samantha LaRusso, who is dating Miguel Diaz.

Additionally, this becomes a common theme in the series, where characters frequently question their self-worth and identities based on their relationships with their mentors. Axel’s dynamic with Sensei Wolf demonstrates how psychological conditioning plays a crucial role in shaping the students' mindset. By allowing himself to be treated harshly, Axel is following a path that many characters, including Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso, have navigated before him in prior Karate Kid movies.

In the series finale, Axel challenges Robby during the Sekai Taikai tournament. Axel, under Sensei Wolf’s demands, directly sabotages Robby’s shot at victory by breaking his leg during their semifinal match. Still, Axel does get his redemption when he defies the orders of his sensei and decides not to counter Miguel's weak point in the men's final. This exemplifies how Axel is also human when he finally finds the confidence to break from Sensei Wolf's manipulation. Plus, this isn't far off from many former antagonists who faced similar dilemmas, like Johnny and Kreese in the original Karate Kid movie.

Our Take On Axel’s Vulnerability In Cobra Kai

The Finale Delivered A Hard Lesson About Two Of The Series' Villains

Axel’s situation in Cobra Kaiseason 6 provides a sharp contrast to Zara’s approach to strength. His struggle with self-worth and susceptibility to manipulation by Sensei Wolf makes his character tangible, showing the attention to its portrayal of internal conflict. However, even as a rival, Axel's story does not trend far off from many other villains, who have since sought some redemption and overcame such manipulation. This is where Axel's story ends, but it at least leaves some intrigue about whether there could be a possible spinoff of his character.