Tips for Writing Tournament Arcs

[Story_Marc]

I've been in tournament mode recently, so I finally got around to this one. I hope this helps out with people executing their own take on this.

 

[SirDogeTheFirst]

It is good to see another person liking the cheesy 80s karate movie turned into a series thing called Kobra Kai. Also, thanks for the video! I am approaching a big tournament arc in my current work and as a writer who just Yolo's before thinking and structuring, listening to you made me stop and think "Huh, I should probably plan this carefully rather than just writing it."

 

[Story_Marc]

It is good to see another person liking the cheesy 80s karate movie turned into a series thing called Kobra Kai. Also, thanks for the video! I am approaching a big tournament arc in my current work and as a writer who just Yolo's before thinking and structuring, listening to you made me stop and think "Huh, I should probably plan this carefully rather than just writing it."

Definitely glad to hear you are! I mean, I stand by what I said, there's so much you can do with them. Hell, in the past, my favorite time always with Pokemon was whenever the Pokemon League came around. Regardless, I hope this helps you think about it! And see what's been done in a new light.

And my love for Karate Kid is deep. I watched Cobra Kai back in its YouTube Red days. The second it was announced, I was there. I literally got the subscription for it, and it alone. Actually, just to share how much I do genuinely love martial arts, here's a comment I found elsewhere that I made back in 2018 when I felt people were missing the point.

It's not as simple as "just teaching them to defend themselves." It's the philosophy itself that's the problem. He's not teaching self-defense. He's just teaching them combative moves and aggression. Martial arts is more than just combat, and Johnny didn't get that. Hence, those he teaches all turn into thugs.

Focusing just on the idea of "You're enabling these disadvantaged people to protect themselves" is short-term thinking. He's just teaching violence.

I'm so glad the story goes as it does as the earlier parts made me worried that this side of the equation might be forgotten for Johnny just because people are empathetic of underdogs and how he does teach it glorified.

He's not actually THE Miyagi. He's a wannabe Miyagi. Really, one thing I love about this series is how it plays with the expectations and tropes. The new kid is what Daniel would've become if he was trained by Kreese. Johnny tries to be Miyagi, but ultimately continues the cycle Kreese began because the mindset itself is toxic. And, of course, Ronny becomes the true Daniel of this series because he receives proper guidance from the person truly capable of continuing Miyagi's legacy, who actually understands the full equation.

At any rate, martial arts is more than just being able to fight back effectively. Johnny didn't get this and that's what's dangerous about him as a teacher. He's a mentor who doesn't realize the truth of what he's teaching.

And found something which I first learn when studying martial arts.

Lesson #1: Do Not Forget That Karate-Do Begins and Ends with Rei

Rei is often defined as "respect", but it actually means much more. Rei encompasses both an attitude of respect for others and a sense of self-esteem. When those who honor themselves transfer that feeling of esteem - that is, respect - to others, their action is nothing less than an expression of rei.

It is said that "without rei there is disorder" and also that "the difference between men and animals lies in rei." Combat methods that lack rei are not martial arts but merely contemptible violence. Physical power without rei is no more than brute strength, and for human beings it is without value.

It should be noted that although a person's deportment may be correct, without a sincere and reverent heart they do not possess true rei. True rei is the outward expression of a respectful heart.

All martial arts begin and end with rei. Unless they are practiced with a feeling of reverence and respect, they are simply forms of violence. For this reason martial arts must maintain rei from beginning to end.

Also, #2 lesson I learned, which reflects well how much Johnny is unfit as a sensei...

There is No First Strike in Karate. A sword must never been recklessly drawn. In karate, the hands and feet can be as deadly as the blade of a sword. Thus, the principle extends to avoid the reckless use of weapons. It underscores the absolute necessity of patience and forbearance.

A martial arts STOPS fighting, not encourages it. This is why Miguel's progressive turn is the logical one. He's never taught this. He, nor Johnny, gets things like mentality over technique or that karate goes beyond the dojo.

I can go on and on as this is something this is something important to me, but yeah. I agree that Daniel ISN'T perfect. I agree that Johnny is trying to become something better too and I think that's important. However, Johnny lacks rei. Cobra Kai's inherent philosophy encouraged a lack of rei. And it's something that's best stopped, before it can harm more people.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Interesting that this comes up now - was listening to a tournament arc in "My Vampire System" earlier today (the tournament itself is about 1/3 of five or more chapters, with other story events floating around it), and this morning, saw a discussion on Facebook about a tournament arc from the late seventies where The Thing saved Earth by being too stubborn to die when beaten to a pulp by an alien warrior.