The Netflix series Cobra Kai has captivated audiences with its blend of nostalgia and fresh storylines, bringing back beloved characters from the original Karate Kid films while introducing a new generation of martial artists. Among these new characters is Anthony LaRusso, the son of Daniel and Amanda LaRusso, portrayed by Griffin Santopietro. Initially known for his sedentary lifestyle, video games, and love for waffles, Anthony's character has undergone a significant transformation throughout the series, both in terms of his physical appearance and his personal growth.
Anthony's Initial Characterization: A Modern Kid
In the early seasons of Cobra Kai, Anthony is depicted as a typical modern kid, more interested in technology and entertainment than in physical activity or the traditions of his father's past. He shuns his father’s attempts to teach him karate, preferring the virtual world of video games. Anthony became well known for his sedentary life of video games and waffles. This disinterest is evident when Daniel asks if he would like to join Miyagi-Do rather than going away to camp, Anthony chose the latter. He is often portrayed as somewhat spoiled, used to getting his way and disconnected from the world of karate that consumes his father and sister, Sam.
Absence and Return: The Noticed Change
Anthony was nowhere to be found in Season 2. When Anthony reappears in Season 3, fans were shocked. Though he still appears uninterested in working out - as evidenced by a popsicle in his hand - he has lost a considerable amount of weight. This change in appearance didn't go unnoticed by viewers, sparking discussions and speculation about the reasons behind it.
Real-World Timeline vs. Show Timeline
Even though it’s been only a few short months in the Cobra Kai timeline since Season 1, it’s been three years in the real world. This still doesn’t explain the weight loss, but fans have taken to Reddit to discuss it.
Fans React
Many viewers believed this move hinted Anthony would return from camp ready to join the rest of the LaRussos in Miyagi-Do or defect to Cobra Kai. Though that might happen in a future season, it didn’t happen in Season 3.
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Griffin Santopietro on His Transformation
As you’ve matured from the 12 year old to the 15 year old actor on Cobra Kai, you’ve had a significant weight loss. What prompted you to lose weight? How did you do it? Again, it was something that I didn’t even think about. I don’t think I was aware. I just hit a growth spurt and started working out a bit. I think it did affect the auditions I was getting for a while because I was changing, but I think things are settling down now. I know my agents did send some updated pictures to Cobra Kai production to keep them up to date.
A Shift in Character Reception
Anthony’s minimal appearance is in stark contrast to his appearance in season 1, which was much more prolific. According to IMDb, he appeared in 8 of the season’s 10 episodes. It continued to explain that, despite the writers’ best intentions, “The character…did not resonate. The audience rejected it; in fact, the scenes with Anthony in the opening season were more uncomfortable than funny.
Physical Transformation and Character Development
The actor’s noticeable weight loss, coupled with his growth spurt and haircut, led to a change in the character’s perception. With regard to the photo shoot, some fans have been eager to point out the now-similar looking appearance between Anthony and a young Daniel LaRusso, with one popular post on Reddit showcasing the two side-by-side. “Anthony Larusso finally looks like his father,” the caption reads. Another popular post from February expressed hope that season 4 will showcase more of Johnny and Robbie together, as well as both the LaRusso kids. Another well-received post in October listed Anthony as the #1 character who should have a bigger role. One user commented, “Anthony is definitely up there on my list.
Bullying and Redemption: Anthony's Moral Arc
Anthony's character arc takes a darker turn when he becomes a bully himself, tormenting Kenny Payne at West Valley Middle School. Anthony is a student at West Valley Middle School, and his unsupervised lifestyle has led him to become friends with a group of bullies. They watch the new kid, Kenny Payne, dancing as he waits for the bus stop. They make fun of him with Anthony calling it the "trying-not-to-shit-in-my-pants dance". Their attempts to humiliate the kid further during gym class backfires, as Kenny is a decent basketball player. He accidentally checks the ball into Anthony's face. Though Kenny apologizes, Anthony doesn't believe it was an accident and tries to intimidate the student. Lia intervenes and stops Anthony, telling him to take it easy on the new kid. He obliges but watches her be friendly with Kenny and he gets jealous. His friends urge him to use karate on Kenny, but Anthony lies that the moves cause "brain damage". He is agitated when Zack slurs his name as 'LaPusso'. That night, Anthony and his friends catfish Kenny into believing that Lia wants to meet him at Balboa Park in his Dungeon Lord cosplay. They record Kenny in the park. He tries to stop Anthony from recording and accidentally breaks his phone, apologizes, but calls them assholes. Anthony's friends restrain Kenny and beat him up, encouraging Anthony to use his karate moves. Anthony hesitates, but readies himself to attack when he is called 'LaPusso'. It is then that Kenny escapes. They chase him to no avail as he hides from them in a dumpster. The bullying doesn't stop there, as they continue to chase the kid, beat him up, and fill his locker with milk in the coming school days.
This behavior leads to consequences, including a suspension from school and a confrontation with his parents. Daniel finds the stolen Cobra Kai sweatshirt and confronts Anthony over the attire. He explains that a kid from Cobra Kai is bullying him at school so he stole it. Daniel decides it's time to begin Anthony's training in Miyagi-Do. He shows him the dojo and explains the rich history behind everything. He tasks Anthony with cleaning Mr. Miyagi's old cars. When he returns, he's shocked that Anthony actually cleaned them. His excitement turns into annoyance when he learns Anthony hired a man to clean the cars for him. Daniel decides Anthony isn't mature enough to handle karate after all. Despite this, Anthony discovers a karate scroll inside that he finds interesting. Daniel merely calls it an extreme measure he hopes no one has to use. After that, his interest in karate seems to grow from that moment.
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Finding Redemption and Embracing Miyagi-Do
Throughout the summer after the 51st Annual Karate Championships, Anthony is turning his life around to become a better person, now having realized how being bullied by members of Cobra Kai feels, like his father before him. After that, he decided to join Miyagi-Do to de…
After being bullied by Kenny and some other Cobra Kais, Anthony joins Miyagi-Do Karate to learn self-defense. He begins to train alongside his sister and other students, learning the values of balance, discipline, and respect that Miyagi-Do represents.
Contributing to the Fight Against Cobra Kai
As Anthony progresses in his training, he begins to play a more active role in the fight against Cobra Kai. He uses his knowledge of technology and strategy to help his friends and family, demonstrating a newfound sense of responsibility and teamwork. Later, Anthony goes to the Cobra Kai dojo to fight against them in order to qualify for the Sekai Taikai tournament. Anthony meets with his sister at the Cobra Kai dojo. She explains to her classmates and the Eagle Fangs that they are taking down Cobra Kai. With the help of Tory Nichols, the Miyagi-Do students enter the dojo and hack into the computer to find evidence. Later, the Cobra Kai students arrive and Anthony gets into a brief confrontation with Kenny, who kicks him onto the ground. Much to Anthony and the rest of the Miyagi-Fang's surprise, they were betrayed by Mitch, who switched back to Cobra Kai as their mole and warned Kyler and the others of the group's plan to break into the dojo. After, the Cobra Kais fight the Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang students. When Anthony recovers Demetri's tablet, he checks the upload progress, while the Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang students protect him from the Cobra Kais. After the video uploads, Anthony plays it on the TV to show to the entire dojo, successfully ending the fight and making all the Cobra Kais see the truth. After the video, he, his family, his classmates, the Cobra Kais, Eagle Fangs and his fellow students witnessed Daniel defeating Terry Silver, and he and his family embraced his dad afterwards. Thanks to Anthony, Kenny and the rest of the Cobra Kai students quit the dojo when they throw their gear at Silver.
Sekai Taikai Tournament
Anthony participates in the Sekai Taikai qualifiers to see which six students will represent Miyagi-Do in the tournament. Much to his and his father's happiness, he is one of the twelve to advance to the next round during Mike Barnes' challenges. Unfortunately, he gets eliminated after the battle royale when Kenny punches him and gives him a bloody nose, though Kenny does apologize.
Reconciling with Kenny
Later, the two reconcile after Kenny learned the truth about Devon spiking his water, with Kenny showing some regret on his face when he sees Anthony drinking laxatives and Gatorade as a way to make amends for the past bullying he has done to Kenny.
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A Promising Future
Anthony sees his sister off to Okinawa along with the rest of the family. Alongside Kenny, Devon and a new class, Anthony attends the reopening of Cobra Kai and trains at Miyagi-Do, continuing his karate. While discussing the next All Valley Karate Tournament, Daniel and Johnny mention that Anthony has come a long way and Daniel suggests having him fight for Cobra Kai in the tournament rather than Miyagi-Do as Johnny would be a neutral sensei.