How Old Is Ryan From Ryan’s World? It’s one of the most frequently asked questions about the biggest child star on the planet. In a world of fleeting internet fame, Ryan Kaji has remained a constant, a digital native who grew up on camera and turned toy reviews into a global empire.
But his age is just the starting point of a much larger, more fascinating story.
This is the complete 2025 guide, where we’ll not only answer that simple question but dive deep into the journey of a regular kid who became a YouTube phenomenon.
We’ll uncover the real story behind his rise, meet the family who made it all possible, and break down the multi-million dollar business that operates under the name “Ryan’s World.” Get ready to go beyond the numbers and discover the full picture of Ryan Kaji.
Ryan Kaji’s Quick Facts
For those who need the answer fast, here are the essential facts about Ryan Kaji. This table is designed to be your one-stop-shop for the most critical information, optimized to be the perfect answer for Google’s featured snippet.
The Real Story: From Ryan’s Review to a Global Phenomenon
Most articles will tell you Ryan’s age and his net worth, but they miss the most compelling part: the story. The story of Ryan’s World isn’t about a child prodigy who was groomed for stardom; it’s about a simple, relatable moment that sparked an idea. It’s a story of family, timing, and the incredible power of the internet.
In the early 2010s, Ryan was just like millions of other kids. He loved watching YouTube, and his favorite videos were toy reviews. He would sit mesmerized as other kids unboxed new toys, explained how they worked, and gave their verdict. His parents, Shion and Loann, watched his fascination with interest.
Then came the pivotal moment that would change everything. One day, after watching yet another toy review, a then-3-year-old Ryan turned to his parents and asked a simple but profound question: “How come I’m not on YouTube?”
It wasn’t a demand. It was the innocent curiosity of a child who saw something fun and wanted to participate. Most parents might have laughed it off, but Shion and Loann saw an opportunity.
Their Story
The first few videos were simple, homemade productions. They filmed on a basic camera, with Shion operating it and Loann helping to guide the conversation. The very first video, uploaded on March 16, 2015, was a review of a Lego Duplo Number Train.
It’s a charming, low-key video that shows no signs of the massive success to come. In the beginning, the channel grew slowly, accumulating a small but dedicated following of parents and kids who appreciated Ryan’s genuine enthusiasm.
Something about this video resonated deeply with the YouTube algorithm and its young audience. The combination of bright colors, the element of surprise, the collectibility of the toys, and Ryan’s authentic excitement created a perfect storm. The video went viral. It wasn’t just a hit; it was a phenomenon. To this day, it has amassed over 2 billion views.
This single video transformed “Ryan’s Review” from a small family project into a rapidly growing channel. They realized they had stumbled upon a winning formula. Parents were looking for safe, engaging content for their kids, and kids were captivated by the joy of unboxing and discovery.
The channel’s focus shifted from simple reviews to more elaborate challenges, science experiments, and educational content, all centered around play.
As the channel’s scope expanded, so did the need for a new name. “Ryan’s Review” no longer captured the breadth of what they were creating. They rebranded to “Ryan’s World,” a name that was bigger, more aspirational, and better suited for the global brand it was becoming. This wasn’t just a name change; it was a strategic move that signaled their evolution from a simple review channel to a comprehensive entertainment universe for kids.
This is the story most competitors miss—the organic, almost accidental, rise from a child’s simple question to a global phenomenon, powered by one viral video and a family’s willingness to support his dream.
Meet the Family Behind Ryan’s World
A huge misconception about Ryan’s World is that it’s a one-man show. The reality is that Ryan is the star, but the entire operation is a dedicated, family-run business.
To truly understand Ryan’s success, you have to meet the people behind the camera who work tirelessly to produce high-quality content, manage a massive brand, and, most importantly, ensure that Ryan can still be a kid. This is the content gap we’re filling—going beyond just naming the parents and explaining their crucial, distinct roles.
Shion Kaji: The Visionary Producer
Shion Kaji, Ryan’s father, is the unsung hero and the primary architect of Ryan’s World. Before the YouTube channel took off, Shion had a successful career as a structural engineer for a Fortune 500 company. He was educated, with a stable, high-paying job. But as he saw the potential of what Ryan was creating, he made a life-altering decision. He quit his job to dedicate himself full-time to producing the channel.
This was an enormous risk, but it demonstrated his commitment and his belief in his family’s project. Shion’s role is multifaceted and critical. He is the main cameraman, editor, and producer. Ryan learned videography and video editing on the fly, constantly improving the production quality of the videos to compete with professional studios.
He is the one who storyboards the concepts, scouts locations, and ensures the technical aspects of each shoot are perfect. His background in engineering likely gives him a methodical, problem-solving approach to the complex logistics of producing several videos a week.
Shion is also the head of Sunlight Entertainment, the family’s own production company. By creating their own company, the Kaji family took control of their brand’s destiny.
Sunlight Entertainment is not just for making YouTube videos; it’s a full-fledged production house that develops content for other platforms, including the Ryan’s World shows on Netflix and Amazon Prime. Shion’s transition from engineer to media mogul is a central part of the Ryan’s World story, showcasing his vision and dedication to turning his son’s passion into a sustainable, family-run enterprise.
Loann Kaji: The On-Screen Star and Business Manager
While Shion is the man behind the camera, Loann Kaji, Ryan’s mother, is often the warm, familiar face on screen alongside Ryan. Known to millions of fans as “Mama,” Loann provides the maternal energy and structure that makes the videos so engaging and relatable.
Before YouTube, Loann was a high school chemistry teacher. Her educational background is a huge asset to the channel, especially when they create science experiment videos. She has a natural ability to explain complex concepts in a simple, fun, and accessible way for kids.
Her role, however, extends far beyond being an on-screen personality. Loann is deeply involved in the business management side of Ryan’s World. She is the one who reads and responds to fan mail, manages the business’s schedule, and oversees the brand partnerships.
While Shion focuses on production, Loann focuses on the operational and strategic aspects. She ensures the brand stays true to its values and that every partnership is a good fit for their audience.
Loann’s presence is also crucial for maintaining the channel’s authenticity. Her interactions with Ryan feel genuine and loving, reminding viewers that this is a real family. She is the bridge between the business and the audience, ensuring that as the brand grows, it never loses the heart and soul that made it special in the first place.
Emma and Kate Kaji: The Next Generation
As Ryan grew older, the family expanded, and so did the on-screen talent. Ryan’s twin sisters, Emma and Kate Kaji, were born in 2016 and have grown up in the world of YouTube. Initially, they made occasional appearances in videos, but as they got older, it became clear that they had their own personalities and chemistry that resonated with the audience.
Recognizing this, the family launched a spin-off channel called “Emma & Kate’s World.” This channel follows a similar format to Ryan’s, but with a focus on the twins’ interests, which often include dress-up, dolls, and their own unique challenges. This was a brilliant strategic move.
It not only gave Emma and Kate their own platform but also allowed the main Ryan’s World channel to evolve with its star. Ryan could tackle content more suitable for his age, while younger viewers still had age-appropriate content with Emma and Kate.
The inclusion of the twins has made the brand even more relatable to a wider range of kids. It shows a family growing and evolving together. It also ensures the longevity of the “Ryan’s World” brand, creating a multi-faceted entertainment universe that can continue to thrive for years to come.
The family dynamic is the secret sauce, and each member plays an indispensable role in creating the content that billions of viewers have come to love.
The Business of Being Ryan: How a Kid Became a Top Earner
This is where most articles get it wrong. They throw out a massive “net worth” number without explaining how it was generated. The story of Ryan’s earnings isn’t just about YouTube ad revenue; it’s a masterclass in modern brand building and business diversification.
To truly understand how Ryan became one of the world’s highest-paid YouTubers, we need to break down the sophisticated business machine operating behind the scenes.
The Foundation: YouTube Ad Revenue
Let’s start with the most obvious source of income. With over 36 million subscribers and billions of views, Ryan’s World generates a significant amount of money from YouTube ads. YouTube’s Partner Program places ads on videos, and creators receive a share of the revenue. The amount earned per thousand views (RPM) varies based on the audience’s demographics, the length of the video, and the type of ads shown.
For a kids’ channel like Ryan’s World, the RPM is generally lower than for channels targeting adults with high purchasing power. However, the sheer volume of views (often in the tens of millions per video) means that ad revenue alone is substantial, likely running into the millions of dollars per year. But this is just the tip of the iceberg.
The Game Changer: The Pocket.watch Partnership
The real explosion in Ryan’s earnings came when the family partnered with Pocket.watch. Pocket.watch is a media company that specializes in building franchises out of kidfluencers.
They saw the immense potential in Ryan’s World and helped the Kaji family transform their YouTube channel into a global consumer products brand. This partnership was the key to unlocking revenue streams far beyond what YouTube could offer.
The Money Machine: Brand Licensing and Merchandise
This is the heart of the Ryan’s World business. Through their partnership with Pocket.watch, Ryan’s World licensed its name and characters to dozens of major companies. This is where the real wealth is generated. Instead of just selling ads, they are now selling actual products. Let’s look at some of the most lucrative examples:
- Toys: This is the most obvious and successful category. Ryan’s World has a massive line of toys sold exclusively at major retailers like Walmart and Target. These include mystery egg surprise pods, action figures, plush toys, and playsets. When a parent buys a Ryan’s World toy, a portion of that sale goes back to the brand. This is far more profitable than ad revenue.
- Home Goods: The brand expanded beyond toys. You can now find Ryan’s World bedding, towels, and room decor at stores like Macy’s.
- Personal Care: They even have a line of toothbrushes and toothpaste with Colgate, leveraging Ryan’s image to encourage kids to brush their teeth.
- Clothing and Apparel: T-shirts, pajamas, and other clothing items featuring Ryan and his characters are widely available.
This strategy of brand licensing is incredibly powerful. It turns the YouTube channel into a 24/7 advertisement for a vast range of products. The family doesn’t have to worry about manufacturing, shipping, or retail logistics; they simply license the brand and collect a percentage of the sales.
The Power of Their Own Company: Sunlight Entertainment
By creating their own production company, Sunlight Entertainment, the Kaji family maintains creative control and owns a larger piece of the pie.
Sunlight Entertainment produces the content for Ryan’s World, Emma & Kate’s World, and their shows on streaming platforms like Netflix (“Ryan’s Mystery Playdate”) and Amazon Prime. This vertical integration allows them to control the quality of their content and ensure that all their platforms work together to strengthen the brand.
Putting It All Together: The Forbes Rankings
When Forbes lists Ryan Kaji as one of the world’s highest-paid YouTubers, with annual earnings often estimated between $25-$30 million, they are accounting for all of these revenue streams. It’s not just “YouTube money.” It’s a combination of ad revenue, sponsorship deals, and a massive cut from the billions of dollars in merchandise sales.
The business of being Ryan is a complex, well-oiled machine, built on the foundation of a kid’s genuine love for toys but powered by savvy business decisions and strategic partnerships that have turned him into a global icon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ryan Kaji
To cover all the bases and answer every possible question a curious user might have, here is a comprehensive FAQ section. These are the questions that frequently appear in the “People Also Ask” box on Google, and we’re providing clear, concise answers.
Q1: What is Ryan’s real last name?
Ryan’s full name is Ryan Kaji. His family’s last name was originally Guan, but they legally changed it to Kaji. “Kaji” is a combination of the first letters of his family members’ names: Ryan’s dad (K), Ryan’s aunt and uncle (A), and Ryan’s mom (J), plus the “i” from his name.
Q2: Where does Ryan Kaji live?
While Ryan was born in Texas, his family relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2017. They have mentioned in videos that the move was to be closer to family and enjoy a better quality of life.
Q3: What is Ryan’s World’s net worth?
While exact figures are private, Ryan’s personal net worth is estimated to be around $100 million. However, this number fluctuates based on the revenue of his entire brand, which includes his YouTube channels, merchandise lines, and media production company, Sunlight Entertainment.
Q4: Does Ryan go to school?
Yes, Ryan does go to school. His parents have emphasized in interviews that providing a normal education and childhood for Ryan and his siblings is their top priority. He attends a regular school, and his filming schedule is structured around his schoolwork.
Q5: How many subscribers does Ryan’s World have?
As of 2025, the main Ryan’s World YouTube channel has over 36 million subscribers. This number continues to grow, making it one of the most-subscribed channels on the entire platform.
Q6: What is Ryan’s ethnicity?
Ryan is of mixed ethnicity. His father, Shion Kaji, is of Japanese descent, and his mother, Loann Kaji, is a Vietnamese immigrant who was raised in the United States. This makes Ryan American-Japanese.
Q7: What type of dogs does Ryan have?
Ryan’s family has two dogs that are often featured in their videos. Their names are Gus and Blue. Gus is a Golden Retriever, and Blue is a Labrador Husky mix. They have their own dedicated segments on the channel.
Q8: Does Ryan actually like all the toys he reviews?
This is a common question. According to his parents, Ryan has a significant say in which toys they review. He chooses the toys he’s genuinely interested in, and they only make videos about products he enjoys. This authenticity is a key reason for the channel’s success.
Q9: What is Sunlight Entertainment?
Sunlight Entertainment is the Kaji family’s own production company. It was founded by Ryan’s parents to produce all the content for Ryan’s World and its related channels. It gives them full creative control over their brand and its expansion into television and streaming.
Q10: Will Ryan’s World end when Ryan gets older?
It’s unlikely that the brand will end. The family has already shown its ability to evolve. With the creation of “Emma & Kate’s World” and the expansion of the brand into animation and character-driven content, the “Ryan’s World” universe is positioned to grow and adapt, ensuring its longevity for years to come.
Conclusion
So, we return to our original question: How Old Is Ryan From Ryan’s World? He is 13 years old, a teenager on the cusp of a new chapter in his life. But as we’ve seen, his age is merely a timestamp in a much larger narrative. Ryan Kaji is not just a kid who got lucky; he is the centerpiece of a modern media empire built on a simple, powerful idea: the joy of being a kid.
His story is a unique blend of innocence and enterprise. It started with a child’s genuine curiosity and was nurtured by a family willing to take a risk and work tirelessly to support his dream.
They transformed a fun family project into a sophisticated business, mastering the worlds of YouTube content creation, brand licensing, and media production. They filled the content gaps by telling a real story, humanizing the family behind the brand, and transparently breaking down the business of their success.
Ryan’s World is more than just a YouTube channel; it’s a cultural phenomenon that has redefined childhood stardom in the digital age. It’s a testament to the power of family, the importance of authenticity, and the limitless possibilities of the internet.
As Ryan grows up, his world will undoubtedly continue to evolve, but the foundation of genuine enthusiasm and family support will ensure that the brand remains a beloved part of childhood for millions of kids around the globe for years to come.
