Tanner Buchanan, the star of the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai, has captivated audiences with his portrayal of Robby Keene, a complex character whose journey involves intense martial arts training and combat. This naturally leads many fans to wonder: Does Tanner Buchanan actually know martial arts in real life? The answer is nuanced. While he's not a black belt martial arts master, he's clearly dedicated to mastering the skills required for his role.
What Martial Arts Does Robby Keene Use in Cobra Kai?
Before we delve into Tanner's personal martial arts experience, let's clarify what we see Robby practicing on Cobra Kai. Robby's style is primarily Miyagi-do karate, a blend of traditional karate techniques emphasizing balance, agility, and precise strikes. He also demonstrates elements of other karate styles, potentially incorporating aspects of Kyokushin or Shotokan karate, depending on the specific fight choreography. The show skillfully blends different styles to create dynamic and believable fight sequences.
Does Tanner Buchanan Have Any Martial Arts Background?
While the show showcases impressive martial arts prowess from Tanner, his background prior to Cobra Kai wasn't extensively focused on martial arts. He has spoken about undergoing extensive training for the role, emphasizing the rigorous preparation required to convincingly portray a skilled martial artist. This training involved learning and perfecting the specific techniques showcased in the series, rather than prior experience in a specific martial arts discipline.
How Did Tanner Buchanan Prepare for His Role in Cobra Kai?
Tanner's transformation into Robby Keene required a dedicated and intense physical training regimen. This involved:
- Intensive karate training: Hours of daily practice under the guidance of experienced martial arts instructors, focusing on the techniques, forms, and fighting styles required for the show.
- Strength and conditioning: Building physical strength, stamina, and flexibility were essential for performing demanding fight sequences and stunts.
- Choreography rehearsals: Working closely with the show's fight choreographers to refine movements, ensuring accuracy and believability.
What About Other Action Scenes in Tanner Buchanan's Career?
Beyond Cobra Kai, Tanner Buchanan has appeared in other projects requiring some level of physical skill, though not necessarily on the same scale of martial arts mastery as his role in Cobra Kai. This demonstrates a willingness to take on physically demanding roles and learn new skills as necessary.
Is Tanner Buchanan's Martial Arts Skill Comparable to a Trained Martial Artist?
It's important to distinguish between the skills required for acting and the mastery achieved through years of dedicated martial arts training. Tanner Buchanan is a skilled actor who has convincingly portrayed a martial artist. However, his abilities are primarily a result of his acting training for the show, not the years of dedicated study and practice typical of a martial arts expert. He's capable of performing the choreographed fight sequences exceptionally well, but that's different from having the ingrained reflexes and deep understanding of a black belt.
Does Tanner Buchanan's Training Make Him a Martial Artist?
While Tanner hasn't explicitly identified himself as a martial artist, his intensive training for Cobra Kai undoubtedly developed his skills significantly. He learned and mastered specific karate techniques, demonstrating a high level of proficiency within the context of the show. Whether this constitutes him being a "martial artist" depends on how you define the term; he's certainly a skilled practitioner of the techniques he's learned for the role.
In conclusion, Tanner Buchanan's dedication and hard work have made him exceptionally capable of portraying a skilled martial artist on screen. While he didn't begin with a formal martial arts background, his commitment to the role in Cobra Kai has resulted in a remarkable level of on-screen proficiency. However, it's crucial to differentiate between his screen portrayal and the years of dedicated training that truly define a seasoned martial artist.
