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The Karate Kid, Part II (1986)

113 min · Action, Coming Of Age, Sport, action film, coming-of-age film, drama film, martial arts film, romance film, teen film

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2025-09 to 2026-08

Daniel LaRusso accompanies his karate teacher to Okinawa to visit his dying father, only to face an old friend-turned-rival with a long-harbored grudge.

The story

Following the 1984 All-Valley Karate Tournament, Daniel LaRusso visits his teacher, Mr. Miyagi. Upon learning that Miyagi's father is dying in Okinawa, Daniel decides to accompany him to the island. During the journey, they learn of Miyagi's past love for a woman named Yukie and the rivalry with his best friend, Sato. Upon arriving in the village, they find that Sato has become a wealthy industrialist who has impoverished the local people. Miyagi is forced to confront Sato, who demands a fight, while Daniel begins to learn the secrets of Miyagi's family karate style.

Full plot (contains spoilers)

After the 1984 tournament, John Kreese attacks Johnny Lawrence, but Miyagi intervenes and humiliates Kreese. Six months later, Daniel visits Miyagi, who learns his father is dying in Okinawa. Miyagi reveals his past love for Yukie, who was forced to marry his friend Sato. Daniel joins Miyagi in Okinawa, where they meet Sato's nephew, Chozen Toguchi. Sato, now a wealthy industrialist, demands Miyagi fight him. Miyagi refuses until Sato threatens to destroy the village. Miyagi agrees to fight on the condition that Sato relinquishes land ownership. Daniel learns the 'drum technique' from Miyagi. Tensions rise as Chozen and his cronies attack Daniel. During a typhoon, Miyagi and Daniel rescue Sato from wreckage, and Daniel saves a child from a bell tower. Sato, humbled, returns the deed to the village. During an O-bon festival, a vengeful Chozen takes Kumiko hostage and demands a fight to the death. Miyagi and the villagers use den-den daikos to inspire Daniel, who uses the drum technique to defeat Chozen. Mirroring Miyagi's past actions, Daniel playfully tweaks Chozen's nose instead of killing him.

First release year
1986
Runtime (minutes)
113
Production countries
United States
Original languages
English
Directors
John G. Avildsen
Writers
Robert Mark Kamen · screenplay
Cast and characters
Ralph Macchio · Daniel LaRusso; Pat Morita · Mr. Miyagi; Nobu McCarthy · Yukie; Tamlyn Tomita · Kumiko; Danny Kamekona · Sato; Yuji Okumoto · Chozen Toguchi; Charlie Tanimoto · Miyagi Chōjun; Joey Miyashima · Toshio
Genres
martial arts; drama; action
Themes
honor; tradition; revenge; redemption
Tone and mood
dramatic; action-oriented
Premise and plot tags
sequel; martial arts; coming-of-age
Franchise connections
The Karate Kid
Reception
The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the performances and locations but criticized the plot and action. It was a commercial success, matching the box office of the first film.
Reported review scores
CinemaScore · score: A- · scale: A+ to F
Awards and nominations
Top Box Office Films · original music · 1987 · win
Production trivia
The opening scene was originally planned as the ending for the first film.; The film's signature tune is Peter Cetera's song 'Glory of Love'.
Catalogue themes and tags

1986, Asia, Departure, Explorer, Farewell, Karate, Martial Arts, Okinawa, Rach, Retrospective, Selbstwertgefühl, Suppressed Past, Tour, Transience, Zeitgeschichte, Zwietracht, japan, Action/Adventure, Adventure, Family Drama, Sports, Martial Arts Film, Drama, Family Film, Action, Romance Film

Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.

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