Felix Kjellberg, also known as PewDiePie worldwide, has officially dropped out of the top 10 most-subscribed YouTube channels. The Swedish YouTuber, 35 years old and posting since April 29, 2010, gained fame initially through his game playthroughs of huge titles like Amnesia: The Dark Descent, Happy Wheels, Flappy Bird, and Pokémon GO. His over-the-top reactions, thundering shrieks, and honest commentary instantly established him as a celebrity, with audiences drawn to his unique charm, Swedish accent, and constant content provision.

For several years, PewDiePie was the most subscribed individual creator on the website, topping the rankings in four separate periods over a span of over five years. His intimate vlogs, Q&A sessions, and uncensored fan interaction built a passionate online following colloquially referred to as the “Bro Army.”

T-Series Rivalry Fueled a YouTube Movement

PewDiePie’s visibility soared around the world while waging his subscriber war with Indian music behemoth T-Series, a Noida-based firm which surprisingly rose to No. 2 in September 2018. What was initially just a lighthearted online competition became a full-fledged phenomenon. PewDiePie even dropped a diss song targeting T-Series, which became an internet hit.

While Felix approached the competition as tongue-in-cheek banter, a lot of fans and fellow content creators were serious about it. MrBeast, a new creator at the time and now YouTube’s most-subscribed with more than 400 million subscribers spurred the #SubscribeToPewDiePie movement into viral activity. Indian YouTuber Saiman Says also rose to popularity through supporting PewDiePie, even going as far as partnering with him in the UK on a video in which they sampled Indian snacks together.

From Chaos to Calm: Life in Japan

PewDiePie’s life as a career gradually slowed in pace over the years. Speaking about his deep-seated passion for anime and Japanese culture, he moved from the UK to Japan with his wife, Marzia, and two pugs, Edgar and Maya. He explained in a video how getting a visa for Japan was troublesome and how one has to move animals across international borders.

The relocation was a personal transition towards a more serene, low-key way of life, something the couple struggled to uphold in the UK and Sweden. In 2023, they had their son Björn, and PewDiePie’s output shifted to incorporate this new phase; more relaxed vlogs and reflective posts that his devoted fanbase welcomed with open arms.

The wild and unfiltered persona that once led to several YouTube controversies matured into a more relaxed creator who values privacy and balance.

Who’s Leading the Pack Now?

With PewDiePie’s channel currently at 110 million subscribers, he has been overtaken by several global and Indian content powerhouses. The current top YouTube channels include entertainment giants and children’s content creators. Notably, three of the top 10 are India-based.

Here are the leaders at present:

MrBeast – 408 million subscribers
T-Series – 300 million subscribers
Cocomelon – Nursery Rhymes – 195 million subscribers
YouTube Movies – 186 million subscribers
SET India – 181 million subscribers
Vlad and Niki – 133 million subscribers
Kids Diana Show – 130 million subscribers
Like Nastya – 125 million subscribers
Music – 122 million subscribers
Zee Music Company – 114 million subscribers

While PewDiePie is no longer in the top 10, his impact on YouTube’s history is unbeatable. His transition from a messy gamer to a humble family man in Japan still resonates with millions who have grown up watching him.