Ludwig

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

CoryxKenshin began uploading videos to YouTube in 2009, originally creating comedy sketches before shifting to horror games like Five Nights at Freddy's (2014) and Bloodborne (2015). He also created the "Spooky Scary Sunday" horror short film reaction series and played other genres, including AAA games such as Elden Ring (2022). His video of the rhythm game Friday Night Funkin' (2020) became the fifth most-viewed video in the United States in 2021. IGN Africa described the video as "part music video, part playthrough" and praised his use of comedy. Beyond let's plays, he is known for his humor and energetic, light-hearted personality. Williams has been noted for frequently taking hiatuses from uploading videos, ranging from several days to months. In 2018, he took a four-month break from YouTube. In 2019, he uploaded a video discussing his struggles with mental health due to the pressures of content creation, which was cited in an article from The Verge in the wake of YouTuber Etika's death. On December 13, 2024, after a 17-month hiatus, he posted a video announcing his original manga series titled Monsters We Make, which he wrote. Two days later, on December 15, his channel reached 20 million subscribers.

In Their Own Story

In August 2022, Williams uploaded a video alleging that "racism and favoritism" may influence YouTube's review process. He recounted an incident where a reviewer age-restricted his video of the horror game The Mortuary Assistant, lessening its visibility and monetization. After other videos featuring the same content were not restricted, he submitted an appeal, which was rejected. He sent a clip of a more popular YouTuber, Markiplier, playing the same game to his partner program representative. YouTube then unrestricted Williams' video. Confused, he contacted his representative, who inquired to the policy team. The company then restricted every video on the platform of The Mortuary Assistant. Williams concluded that favoritism of larger creators—or possibly racism—were factors, though he was unsure if an automated or human reviewer restricted his video. Numerous other YouTubers, including Jacksepticeye, Ludwig, GothamChess, Philip DeFranco, berleezy, Deestroying, and Cr1TiKaL voiced their support online. The video peaked at No. 1 on the trending tab.

Reader's Guide

CoryxKenshin's content focuses on comedic playthroughs of horror games, with his Friday Night Funkin' video becoming the fifth most-viewed in the U.S. in 2021. He is known for his energetic, light-hearted personality and frequent hiatuses. In 2020, he stopped uploading temporarily due to anxiety, burnout, and depression, describing that year as "the worst year of [his] life," citing the COVID-19 pandemic and the murder of George Floyd. His 2022 video on YouTube's alleged racism and favoritism sparked widespread support from other creators and reached No. 1 on the trending tab. In December 2024, after a 17-month hiatus, he announced his original manga series Monsters We Make and reached 20 million subscribers.

Did You Know?

• CoryxKenshin was born with ectodermal dysplasia, a rare genetic disorder that caused him to lack a full set of teeth and diminished hair growth on his arms and legs.
• He attended Michigan State University for his freshman and sophomore years, then transferred to the University of Michigan in 2012, where he changed his major to computer science and had to start over as a freshman.
• In April 2015, he took a one-year break from university to focus on YouTube, giving his channel until May 1, 2016, to become a viable source of income.
• His video of the rhythm game Friday Night Funkin' (2020) became the fifth most-viewed video in the United States in 2021.
• On December 13, 2024, after a 17-month hiatus, he announced his original manga series Monsters We Make, and two days later his channel reached 20 million subscribers.