Nichole Brown’s character, Aisha Robinson, is a standout fan-favorite from Cobra Kai, even though her time on the show was cut short.
Aisha first appears in Season 1 as Johnny Lawrence’s (played by William Zabka) first female student at Cobra Kai. She quickly becomes a key figure in the dojo, showcasing her unique personality and strength. Her role extends beyond just martial arts; she’s also Samantha LaRusso’s (Mary Mouser) childhood best friend.
Despite facing bullying at West Valley High, Aisha’s kindness and genuine nature make her a memorable character. Her ability to handle adversity with grace even catches the attention of Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), adding depth to her presence in the series.
What Happened to Aisha Robinson in Cobra Kai?
Initially introduced as Samantha LaRusso’s best friend, Aisha Robinson experienced a significant rift in their friendship when Sam chose to hang out with the bullies who had been targeting Aisha. This sense of betrayal marked a turning point for Aisha.
Driven by her desire for empowerment, Aisha became one of Johnny Lawrence’s (William Zabka) first female students at Cobra Kai Dojo. Under Johnny’s guidance, she evolved from a victim of bullying into a fierce and aggressive fighter. Her journey in Season 1 included participating in the All-Valley Karate Tournament, where she ultimately forgave Sam during the event.
However, by Season 2, Aisha’s relationship with Sam had not fully healed. She became close friends with Tory Nichols (Peyton List) and participated in a dramatic high school brawl involving Sam, Tory, and Miguel. The fight ended in chaos, with Miguel sustaining severe injuries.
Aisha did not appear in Cobra Kai Season 3. The show clarified her absence in Episode 1, revealing that she had transferred to a private school up north due to her parents’ decision, not because of the brawl.
In Season 4, Aisha makes a return when Sam visits her in Santa Barbara. Although she had left karate behind, Aisha mentions that she still applies her fighting skills in emergencies. The season also explains that her move to a private school was due to her father’s job offer at the University of California, Santa Barbara, rather than the brawl’s impact.
Why Did Nichole Brown Leave Cobra Kai?
Nichole Brown’s character Aisha Robinson left quite an impression in Cobra Kai, but her departure was a bit of a rollercoaster for fans. Here’s a rundown of what happened:
At the start of Season 3 in January 2021, Nichole Brown announced on her now-deleted Instagram story that she would not be returning as Aisha for the season. She mentioned, “Officially NOT in Season 3 of ‘Cobra Kai’… Unfortunate, but thank you for the opportunity and time I had on the show.” Brown later revealed that she wasn’t asked back because the writers struggled with how to continue Aisha’s story arc.
In an interview with TV Line in December 2020, Cobra Kai co-showrunner Jon Hurwitz explained that just because a character isn’t seen for a while doesn’t mean they’re gone for good. He noted, “We love Aisha and we love Nichole Brown,” and hinted that characters like Aisha might return in the future. Co-showrunner Josh Heald also pointed out that characters sometimes need to step away to make their reappearance more impactful.
Despite the initial disappointment, Aisha made a brief return in Season 4. She had left karate behind but still showed off her fighting skills when needed. Her return was a nod to her fans, but it’s clear that her story took a back seat for a while.
As the series heads into its final season, Season 6, there’s hope among fans that Aisha might make another appearance, even if just to tie up her storyline.
The first five seasons and Season 6, Part 1 are available for streaming on Netflix.
