Ryan's World

Ryan Kaji's parents Shion and Loann met as undergraduate students at Texas Tech University. Shion moved to the United States from Japan in high school and is the son of a microchip executive. Loann's family fled from Vietnam as refugees,{{Cite news |last=Kang |first=Jay Caspian |date=2022-01-05 |title=The Boy King of YouTube |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/05/magazine/ryan-kaji-youtube.html |access-date=2024-03-07 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} and she grew up in Houston hoping to become a teacher, which she later did. Shion left Texas to get a master's in engineering at Cornell University, but returned soon after Ryan's birth, completing the degree online.

Ryan Kaji began making YouTube videos in March 2015 after watching other toy review channels.{{r|"WP2017"}} Kaji's mother decided to quit her job as a high school chemistry teacher to work on the YouTube channel full-time.{{r|"Verge2016"}}

Before going live on YouTube, the family replaced their real-life surname with the on-screen surname Kaji.{{cite news|last=Koh|first=Yoree|title=Walmart, Target Embrace 8-Year-Old YouTube Influencer's Brand|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=December 23, 2019|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/walmart-target-embrace-8-year-old-youtube-influencers-brand-11577105971|access-date=January 18, 2020|url-access=subscription|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112164823/https://www.wsj.com/articles/walmart-target-embrace-8-year-old-youtube-influencers-brand-11577105971|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Noor|first=Poppy|author-link=Poppy Noor|title=The highest YouTube earner this year? An eight-year-old|work=The Guardian|date=December 20, 2019|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/dec/20/youtube-highest-earner-eight-year-old-guan-ryans-world|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-date=January 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110055800/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/dec/20/youtube-highest-earner-eight-year-old-guan-ryans-world|url-status=live}}{{cite news|agency=Agence France-Presse|title=Top YouTuber is eight years old, earns US$26 million|work=Taipei Times|date=December 20, 2019|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2019/12/20/2003727840|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-date=December 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223073842/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2019/12/20/2003727840|url-status=live}}

In 2017, Kaji's parents signed a deal with PocketWatch, a startup children's media company that was founded in 2016 by Albie Hecht and Chris Williams. PocketWatch does the marketing and merchandise for Ryan's YouTube channels.{{r|"pocket.watch"}} In 2018, Ryan ToysReview, in cooperation with PocketWatch and WildWorks, created an app called Tag with Ryan, an endless runner game targeted towards children, for iOS and Android.{{r|"tagwithryan"}} In 2019, Ryan ToysReview and PocketWatch produced a 20-episode television series for preschoolers titled Ryan's Mystery Playdate.{{r|"tvshow"}} On November 1, 2019, Outright Games released a video game titled Race with Ryan, a racing game featuring Kaji and characters from the Ryan's World brand, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Microsoft Windows.{{Cite web|url=https://www.outrightgames.com/racewithryan|title=Race With Ryan Road Trip Deluxe Edition|website=Outright Games|access-date=2019-12-01|archive-date=January 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115151156/https://www.outrightgames.com/racewithryan|url-status=live}}

A hybrid live-action and animated series titled Super Spy Ryan premiered on November 27, 2020, at Amazon Kids+.{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=November 19, 2020 |title=YouTube's biggest child star is getting his own show on Amazon |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/19/21575169/youtube-ryan-world-amazon-show-animated-nickelodeon-ott-streaming |access-date=November 22, 2020 |website=The Verge |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126051839/https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/19/21575169/youtube-ryan-world-amazon-show-animated-nickelodeon-ott-streaming |url-status=live }} On December 4, 2020, it was announced that Ryan's World would be launching an official game on the gaming platform Roblox.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/9-year-old-youtube-star-ryan-kaji-opens-virtual-world-on-roblox-11607079600|title=9-Year-Old YouTube Star Ryan Kaji Opens Virtual World on Roblox|work=The Wall Street Journal|last=Patel|first=Sahil|date=December 4, 2020|access-date=December 8, 2020|archive-date=March 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302145412/https://www.wsj.com/articles/9-year-old-youtube-star-ryan-kaji-opens-virtual-world-on-roblox-11607079600|url-status=live}} On March 4, 2022, Outright Games released a second Ryan's World licensed video game titled Ryan's Rescue Squad, an action-adventure game for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, and Stadia.{{r|"RSS official website"}} On September 28, 2023, Sunlight Entertainment, a production company owned by Ryan's family, partnered up with Toei Animation to create Elemon, a flash-animated anime-style series that is focused on teaching children about chemistry.{{Cite web|date=28 September 2023|title=Sunlight & Toei Team for New 'Ryan's World' Animated Series 'Elemon'|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2023/09/sunlight-toei-team-for-new-ryans-world-animated-series-elemon/|access-date=29 September 2023|website=Animation Magazine|archive-date=January 16, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240116224823/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2023/09/sunlight-toei-team-for-new-ryans-world-animated-series-elemon/|url-status=live}}

Kaji has impacted the toy industry through the high view counts of his toy reviews, which will sometimes affect toy sales.{{r|"Verge2016"}} Chris Williams of PocketWatch compared Kaji to Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants.{{r|"pocket.watch"}}

At the American International Toy Fair 2018 in New York City, Kaji announced a line of toys, branded as Ryan's World, in cooperation with PocketWatch and Bonkers Toys.{{Cite press release|url=http://pocket.watch/press/press-release-february-13-2018|title=Major Apparel and Toy Companies Jump On Board pocket.watch Media Brand|date=February 13, 2018|website=pocket.watch|access-date=2018-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724154007/http://pocket.watch/press/press-release-february-13-2018|archive-date=2018-07-24}}

The toys were first released exclusively at Walmart on August 6, 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.i4u.com/2018/07/129218/ryan-toysreview-launches-massive-ryans-world-toy-line-exclusively-walmart|title=Ryan ToysReview Launches Massive Ryan's World Toy Line-up Exclusively at Walmart|last=Lugmayr|first=Luigi |website=I4U News|date=July 30, 2018|access-date=2018-07-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730150144/https://www.i4u.com/2018/07/129218/ryan-toysreview-launches-massive-ryans-world-toy-line-exclusively-walmart|archive-date=2018-07-30}}

The Ryan's World channel has been listed in 2018 and 2019 as the highest-earning YouTube channel by Forbes. The New York Times reported that the Kaji family earn at least $25 million from their "Ryan's World" merchandise sales, which totaled over $250 million in 2021.{{Cite news|last=Kang|first=Jay Caspian|date=2022-01-05|title=The Boy King of YouTube|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/05/magazine/ryan-kaji-youtube.html|access-date=2022-01-06|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106170916/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/05/magazine/ryan-kaji-youtube.html|url-status=live}}

On August 28, 2019, a complaint was filed by Truth in Advertising and the Federal Trade Commission due to its sponsored videos not being properly disclosed. Truth in Advertising has claimed that "Nearly 90 percent of the Ryan ToysReview videos have included at least one paid product recommendation aimed at preschoolers, a group too young to distinguish between a commercial and a review."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/04/business/media/ryan-toysreview-youtube-ad-income.html|title=Popular YouTube Toy Review Channel Accused of Blurring Lines for Ads|last=Hsu|first=Tiffany|date=September 4, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 10, 2019|archive-date=January 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102075346/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/04/business/media/ryan-toysreview-youtube-ad-income.html|url-status=live}} These advertisements often depict unhealthy foods.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/26/well/family/Youtube-children-junk-food-child-obesity.html|title=Are 'Kidfluencers' Making Our Kids Fat?|last=O'Connor|first=Anahad|author-link=Anahad O'Connor|date=October 26, 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 23, 2020|archive-date=January 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102075359/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/26/well/family/Youtube-children-junk-food-child-obesity.html|url-status=live}} The latter complaint resulted in the FTC suing YouTube and Google for $170 million; this resulted in YouTube adopting new rules on children's content to comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.{{cite news|url=https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/remember-7-year-old-who-made-22-million-on-youtube-heres-how-that-worked-out-for-youtube.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125030732/https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/remember-7-year-old-who-made-22-million-on-youtube-heres-how-that-worked-out-for-youtube.html |archive-date=2022-01-25 |title=Remember the 7-Year-Old Who Made $22 Million on YouTube? (Here's How That Worked Out for YouTube) |last=Murphy Jr.|first=Bill|date=September 4, 2019|work=Inc.com|access-date=August 19, 2021}}

• Ryan's Mystery Playdate

{{reflist|refs=

{{cite magazine|title=New Kids on the Block: Move over Gen Z, Generation Alpha is the one to watch|url=https://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/move-gen-z-generation-alpha-watch/316314|last1=Pasquarelli|first1=Adrianne|last2=Schultz|first2=E.J.|magazine=Ad Age|volume=90|issue=2|page=22|date= 21 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123042540/https://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/move-gen-z-generation-alpha-watch/316314/|archive-date=2019-01-23}}

{{cite news|last=Schmidt|first=Samantha|title=6-year-old made $11 million in one year reviewing toys on {{sic|You Tube|hide=y}}|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/12/11/6-year-old-made-11-million-in-one-year-reviewing-toys-on-you-tube/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=10 January 2018|date=11 December 2017|archive-date=January 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110141137/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/12/11/6-year-old-made-11-million-in-one-year-reviewing-toys-on-you-tube/|url-status=live}}

{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjd-BeTX6U0|title=Huge Eggs Surprise Toys Challenge with Inflatable water slide|publisher=Ryan's World|via=YouTube|access-date=February 2, 2018|archive-date=December 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215143944/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjd-BeTX6U0|url-status=live}}

{{cite web|last=Popper|first=Ben|title=YouTube's biggest star is a 5-year-old that makes millions opening toys|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/22/14031288/ryan-toys-review-biggest-youngest-youtube-star-millions|website=The Verge|date=December 22, 2016|access-date=3 February 2018|archive-date=March 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322172044/https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/22/14031288/ryan-toys-review-biggest-youngest-youtube-star-millions|url-status=live}}

{{cite web|title=7-year-old toy reviewer on YouTube becomes a toy himself|url=https://whdh.com/news/7-year-old-toy-reviewer-on-youtube-becomes-a-toy-himself/|publisher=WHDH|agency=Associated Press|date=October 3, 2018|access-date=October 3, 2018|archive-date=December 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206173445/https://whdh.com/news/7-year-old-toy-reviewer-on-youtube-becomes-a-toy-himself/|url-status=live}}

{{cite news|last=Zahn|first=James|url=https://toybook.com/from-youtube-to-nickelodeon-ryans-mystery-playdate-is-the-next-move-for-ryan-toysreview/|title=From YouTube to Nickelodeon: Ryan's Mystery Playdate is the Next Move for Ryan ToysReview|date=February 14, 2019|website=The Toy Book|access-date=2020-11-20|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806125434/https://toybook.com/from-youtube-to-nickelodeon-ryans-mystery-playdate-is-the-next-move-for-ryan-toysreview/|url-status=live}}

{{cite magazine|last=Berg|first=Madeline|title=The Highest-Paid YouTube Stars 2017: Gamer DanTDM Takes The Crown With $16.5 Million|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2017/12/07/the-highest-paid-youtube-stars-2017-gamer-dantdm-takes-the-crown-with-16-5-million|magazine=Forbes|date=7 December 2017|access-date=3 February 2018|archive-date=February 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202213708/https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2017/12/07/the-highest-paid-youtube-stars-2017-gamer-dantdm-takes-the-crown-with-16-5-million/|url-status=live}}

{{cite magazine|last1=Robehmed|first1=Natalie|last2=Berg|first2=Madeline|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2018/12/03/highest-paid-youtube-stars-2018-markiplier-jake-paul-pewdiepie-and-more/|title=Highest-Paid YouTube Stars 2018: Markiplier, Jake Paul, PewDiePie And More|magazine=Forbes|date=3 December 2018|access-date=4 December 2018|archive-date=April 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421133702/https://www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2018/12/03/highest-paid-youtube-stars-2018-markiplier-jake-paul-pewdiepie-and-more/|url-status=live}}

{{cite web|url=https://tagwithryan.com/|title=Tag with Ryan|publisher=WildWorks|access-date=December 25, 2018|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308203718/https://tagwithryan.com/|url-status=live}}

{{Cite web | url=https://outrightgames.com/games/ryans-rescue-squad/ | title=Ryan's Rescue Squad | website=Outright Games | access-date=9 March 2022 | archive-date=March 8, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308035708/https://outrightgames.com/games/ryans-rescue-squad/ | url-status=live }}

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• {{YouTube|channel=UChGJGhZ9SOOHvBB0Y4DOO_w}}

{{Streamy Awards Winners CSS}}

Category:English-language YouTube channels

Category:Toy controversies

Category:YouTube channels launched in 2015