The Karate Kid Character You Are Based On Your Zodiac Sign
The "Karate Kid" movies are classic underdog tales of trial, tribulation, and triumph. Led by powerhouse performances from Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio and anchored by a tried-and-true "Rocky"-style plot structure, the original film became a huge hit at the box office, spawning a franchise that would endure for decades. From the famous crane kick to Mr. Miyagi's bits of sage wisdom, there's a full training montage worth of iconic moments sprinkled across the series.
Though "The Karate Kid" never truly left the public consciousness, it certainly experienced a renaissance with the rise of "Cobra Kai," a series that picked up the original story and characters several decades later in the timeline. "Cobra Kai" quickly became a massive success in its own right, especially after moving to Netflix from its original venue on YouTube. The show features nearly all of the primary characters from the original movies, but significantly older and quite different in some ways. It has also perhaps continued the franchise's perceived legacy of representation and appropriation, which some consider a long-term asterisk on the "Karate Kid" name.
The characters of "Cobra Kai" are certainly compelling, but there's something uniquely fun about their original incarnations in the older films. The movies succeeded largely because of their great ensemble of heroes and villains, and while it's fun to see those characters grow and evolve in "Cobra Kai," their big-screen incarnations remain distinct and iconic. Here's the "Karate Kid" character you are, based on your zodiac sign.
Aries: Daniel LaRusso
When he's first introduced in "The Karate Kid," Daniel LaRusso is the ultimate Aries — a hotheaded young man who leads with his emotions. He quickly makes himself public enemy number one for the students of the Cobra Kai dojo — particularly Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) — but he doesn't back down from the challenge. Instead, he implores Mr. Miyagi (Morita), the maintenance man for his apartment complex, to teach him karate so he can fight back.
With so much passion, competitiveness, and, let's face it, brashness, Daniel is clearly a fire sign, and he fits particularly well into the category of Aries. Ruling from March 21 to April 19, Aries embodies the spirit of competition. The ram that represents the fire sign is a perfect symbol for those who wear it, channeling the core Aries principles of courage and intensity. Of course, those principles can often lead to danger, which is certainly true of Daniel throughout the "Karate Kid" saga. He's bull-headed and always wants to the be the best, no matter the cost.
In "Cobra Kai," Daniel is revealed to have grown up into a much more calm, mild-mannered man. He values his family and their safety above most things, but he nonetheless allows himself to get goaded into fights and macho displays of strength from time to time. There's little doubt that the fire of Aries burns bright within Daniel LaRusso.
Taurus: Johnny Lawrence
Immediately following Daniel LaRusso on the "Karate Kid" zodiac is his lifelong rival, Johnny Lawrence. The star student of Cobra Kai sensei John Kreese (Martin Kove), Johnny has a sky-high opinion of himself when he first meets Daniel. Their feud begins when Johnny's ex-girlfriend Ali Mills (Elisabeth Shue) starts up a relationship with Daniel, but that's just the entry point. Soon, the two teens are locked in a fierce battle with pride and bragging rights on the line.
With a character as prone to fits of passion as Johnny, the Earth sign Taurus (April 20 to May 20) might not seem like a perfect match at first. After all, the stubborn and stoic nature of a Taurus is often characterized by patience and consistency — two traits Johnny clearly isn't strong in. However, there's another side to Taurus. The sign's penchant for stability can sometimes become extreme, making Tauruses downright bullheaded and unyielding in their own personal convictions. In truth, Johnny doesn't start his rivalry with Daniel because of a fiery need to be the best, but rather because the status quo that he's become so accustomed to has ben challenged.
Johnny's really a creature of habit — someone whose favorite activities include listening to the same rock albums and watching the same action movies on repeat. He enjoys the simple things in life, which is something to which any Taurus can relate. A physically-minded homebody at his core, Johnny's far less of a fire sign than it might seem at first glance.
Gemini: Ali Mills
The resident Gemini of the "Karate Kid" movies is none other than Ali Mills, who plays a key role in the conflict of the first film and is a fierce character in her own right. The first air sign of the zodiac, Gemini rules from May 21 to June 20 and is known for traits like adaptability, quick-thinking, and sharp intelligence. Ali displays all of those qualities in "The Karate Kid," making her an excellent choice to represent the sign.
Consider Ali's behavior in the first "Karate Kid" movie. When Johnny makes it clear he's not prioritizing her feelings, she has no problem ditching him. In fact, she moves on incredibly quickly. Her relationship with Daniel isn't necessarily a romance worthy of sonnets, but that's part of what makes it so indicative of her Gemini status. Ali enters into situations with a lot of awareness. She knows exactly the kinds of people that Johnny and Daniel are, but she's just there to have a good time. No matter what social situation she finds herself in, Ali makes the most of it and is almost always the smartest person in the room. She's social, adventurous, and has a great sense of humor. In short, she's more than worthy of carrying the Gemini banner.
Cancer: Julie Pierce
If you stopped watching the "Karate Kid" movies when Daniel LaRusso left the story, you might not be too familiar with Julie Pierce (Hilary Swank), the lead protagonist of 1994's "The Next Karate Kid." Like Daniel, Julie is a troubled, hotheaded youth who suffers from the evils of bullying, as well as from the grief of her parents' tragic death. Because Mr. Miyagi is a friend of Julie's grandmother, the karate master takes her under his wing and begins instructing her in the ways of balance, focus, and self-defense.
There are a lot of similarities between Daniel and Julie, but she isn't quite the raging fire sign that is Macchio's character. Her turmoil comes from a darker place, and she has to become vulnerable in order to conquer her demons. In this way, Julie embodies many of the characteristics of Cancer, the first water sign of the zodiac. Ruling from June 21 to July 22, Cancer is symbolized by the crab, whose hard shell and sensitive interior represent the emotional state of those who wear the sign. Typically, Cancers can take a while to get to know because of their thick walls, but if you manage to earn their trust, they can be the most meaningful and loyal of friends. Cancers also often display a vindictive quality, of which Julie Pierce is intimately familiar.
Leo: Terry Silver
Loud, wild, and enamored with luxurious living, Leo is arguably the brightest and hottest of the zodiac's three fire signs. Those born between July 23 and August 22 are known for being big, proud, and boisterous. Leos tend to have a weakness for the finer things in life, be they food, drink, or simply experiences. Social by nature, these fire signs can be a bit much at times (especially with their sizable egos), but they can also be fiercely loyal and incredibly encouraging to those who enter their orbit.
With such big personality traits, it's no wonder that Leos often go one of two ways — the life of the party who everybody loves to be around, or the self-important dandy who doesn't care much for other people's feelings. Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), the primary antagonist of "The Karate Kid Part III," falls into the latter category. One of the founders of the Cobra Kai dojo, Terry is a manic, sadistic businessman who authorizes all sorts of illegal and immoral activities in order to maintain a standard of wealth. He makes work calls from his hot tub, drives only the fanciest cars, and believes himself to be so worthy of these amenities that he rarely shows compassion towards others.
To be fair, though, Terry is immensely loyal to his friend and partner John Kreese. Even the most egotistical of Leos take care of their friends, after all — well, at least until the end of "Cobra Kai" Season 4.
Virgo: Lucille LaRusso
Though she doesn't do karate, Daniel LaRusso's mother Lucille (Randee Heller) is a crucial part of the franchise, even making appearances in "Cobra Kai." After the death of her husband, she relocates from New Jersey to California with her son because of a new job opportunity. Lucille is a positive and powerful presence in Daniel's life, instilling values of responsibility, hard work, and self-improvement. She can be a little overbearing at times (as shown in "Cobra Kai," as well as in the movies), but overall, Lucille is a stalwart woman with a fierce loyalty to her family.
For all these reasons and more, Lucille LaRusso fits perfectly as the "Karate Kid" franchise's resident Virgo, the second earth sign of the zodiac. Ruling from August 23 to September 22, Virgo is known for its practical and dedicated nature. Those who wear the sign are hard workers, loyal friends and family members, and kind people overall. The sign does have a negative penchant for pessimism, and Virgos can easily fall into workaholic territory, but those traits come with the territory when one is so fiercely focused on progress and results. "The Karate Kid" is a story of perseverance, and while Mr. Miyagi plays a huge role in teaching it to Daniel, his mother had already begun the lesson years prior.
Libra: Mr. Miyagi
Mr. Miyagi is the ultimate Zen master — a karate savant with immense creative talent that extends to all areas of his life. He's a skilled fighter, a gifted gardener, a lover of classic cars, and an underrated humorist. Through all of these endeavors, Mr. Miyagi retains the same core values: Balance, focus, and dedication.
It should come as no surprise, then, that he matches so well with the air sign Libra, which is represented by the scales. Those born between September 23 and October 22 are driven by a need to establish balance, fairness, and justice in all aspects of their lives. Mr. Miyagi lives up to those principles in several ways throughout the "Karate Kid" films. He agrees to teach Daniel karate as self-defense so that he can resist the brutal aggressions of the Cobra Kai students. In "The Next Karate Kid," it's this same impulse — the desire to help the downtrodden and balance the scales — that convinces him to train Julie Pierce.
Of course, within Mr. Miyagi's karate training, balance is always at the center of things. He constantly reminds Daniel that all things in life must be balanced — that your family life impacts your work life, which affects your other relationships, and so on. Mr. Miyagi's holistic approach to martial arts serves Daniel well, and is also something that will resonate with most Libras.
Scorpio: John Kreese
Scorpios aren't always treacherous. The water sign gets a bad reputation for deception and trickery, but that's far from the whole story. Those born between October 23 and November 21 can also be fiercely loyal to their true friends and the causes they believe in, unflinchingly brave in the face of dire circumstances, and brutally honest when truth is needed.
All that being said, Scorpios can still turn out like John Kreese, the main villain of the first "Karate Kid" and recurring foe throughout the entire franchise. As the head sensei of the Cobra Kai dojo, Kreese is singularly responsible for instilling the infamous "no mercy" principle in his students, promoting reprehensible violence. His intense passion and refusal to give up in the face of opposition are core Scorpio traits, as is his tendency for hidden schemes. Kreese is a man who'll do whatever it takes to win, and he clearly prioritizes victory over ethics.
Yet, in his own twisted way, Kreese also embodies the more positive Scorpio qualities of loyalty and dedication. He does care about his students, as "Cobra Kai" demonstrates extensively, but he doesn't know how to show that affinity in any way that isn't brutal and harmful. He also tends to stay true to the few friends he does have, like Terry Silver (well, perhaps until the aftermath of the Season 4 finale). These things don't redeem John Kreese, but they do add layers to his character.
Sagittarius: Bobby Brown
Most people remember Johnny Lawrence as Daniel's main rival in the first "Karate Kid" movie, but he wasn't the only young Cobra Kai fighter to enter the fray. Johnny had a whole crew of friends who were similarly corrupted by Kreese's teachings, but because they don't have as many lines or as much screen time, they're more easily forgotten. However, one of those students — Bobby Brown (Ron Thomas) — is a nice fit for the third fire sign of the zodiac, Sagittarius.
Ruling from November 22 to December 21, Sagittarius is known for its adventurous spirit and generally benevolent nature. Those who bear the fire sign tend to march to their own drums, saying and doing whatever they wish without concern for the opinions of others. They value freedom, truth, and new experiences, and they can be a little reckless in how they get there.
In "The Karate Kid," Bobby is the one Cobra Kai student who repeatedly shows resistance to their violent ways. He tries to deescalate Johnny's feud with Daniel, and he actually quits the dojo at the All-Valley Tournament after being pushed past his limit by Kreese. This willingness to both stand up for his own values and shift between different schools of thought is incredibly true to the core of Sagittarius. At the same time, Bobby still has enough hothead in him to represent the more passionate aspects of the fire sign.
Capricorn: Chozen Toguchi
In "The Karate Kid Part II," Daniel and Mr. Miyagi travel to Okinawa, the latter's original home. There, Daniel finds himself at odds with a young karate practitioner named Chozen Toguchi (Yuji Okumoto). A fellow student of Miyagi-Do karate, Chozen develops a fierce hatred for Daniel after several perceived slights to his honor. Believing himself to be the better fighter, he challenges Daniel to a fight to the death, which he ultimately loses (though Daniel spares his life).
There's definitely some fire sign somewhere in Chozen's birth chart, but overall, the Earth sign Capricorn seems like a better fit for him. Ruling from December 22 to January 19, Capricorn is deeply disciplined, unyielding, and driven by a love of family and tradition. Chozen clearly has an immense respect for Okinawan karate and the cultural customs that surround it, but he takes that devotion to an extreme, harmful place. This too is representative of many Capricorns, whose intense discipline and love of tradition can manifest as egotistical, condescending, and pessimistic behavior.
Thankfully, "Cobra Kai" shows that Chozen eventually pulled back from his brash ways and embraced a much more wholesome perspective on tradition. He becomes a master of self-control, and a surprisingly important ally to Daniel.
Aquarius: Mike Barnes
The story of "The Karate Kid Part III" is driven by John Kreese and Terry Silver's obsessive need for revenge against Daniel and Mr. Miyagi. They feel insulted and embarrassed by the duo's repeated victories over them, driving them to a detestable plan to break Daniel from the inside. Part of that scheme includes the hiring of Mike Barnes (Sean Kanan), a young karate star with a brutal mentality.
It may seem like a surprising pick at first, but Barnes fits well under the air sign Aquarius, worn by those born between January 20 and February 18. Typically, Aquarius is seen as a deeply humanitarian sign whose primary interest is making the world better. However, just as not all Scorpios are bad, not all Aquarians are good. Their fiercely independent spirits can lead them down dark paths and make them uncompromising in their own personal convictions. In this way, the core Aquarius value of philanthropy can be superseded by an opposing urge for freedom and independence, as is the case with Barnes.
Throughout "The Karate Kid Part III," Mike is fueled by his own bad behavior. He has a penchant for dangerous situations and rule-breaking which is very Aquarius, and he maintains an off-putting persona that's also a common aspect of the air sign.
Pisces: Kumiko
Rounding out the zodiac is the water sign Pisces, known for its spiritual attunement and unique way of thinking. Pisceans — those born between February 19 and March 20 — are inherent paradoxes, blending childlike energy with old-soul wisdom. They're naturally creative and artistic, with particular affinity for music and natural beauty.
In "The Karate Kid Part II," Daniel meets Kumiko (Tamlyn Tomita), a young dancer from Okinawa with a sharp intelligence and maturity beyond her years. An artistic prodigy from a young age who understands the importance of spiritual balance, Kumiko is an excellent choice to carry the Pisces flag through the "Karate Kid" movies. She repeatedly shows herself to be both a proud advocate of personal expression and a highly-aware person who honors the cultural customs of her homeland. In her encounters with Chozen, Kumiko always holds her head high and shows that her sense of self is stronger than anyone's personal attacks.
Kumiko returns in "Cobra Kai" and once again demonstrates her powerful Pisces energy. She embraces both her past and present as part of herself, and she always seems to be balanced in life. Pisces is a tricky sign to pin down, but Kumiko is a great example of what it can look like.