On November 9, YouTuber Zetsubou Linekou, with 656,000 subscribers, released a video after approximately one month, announcing a channel name change to 'Zetsubou Channel.' He explained that the new name is an abbreviation of 'Zettai ni Kibou wa Sutenaichanneru' (A Channel That Never Gives Up Hope), and that he himself will continue to go by 'Zetsubou' (Despair) in the future.
When the channel was launched in 2020, he presented himself as a single man working in a factory, sharing his experiences with cooking for himself and engaging in matchmaking activities. While the video descriptions noted that the content was fictional, he also stated that the salary slips he showed were real and that his workplace was in the manufacturing industry. He also had experience in music activities, and in 2024, he revealed that he had income from sources other than his factory salary, such as video advertisements, music royalties, and writing fees.
When he announced his marriage and the birth of his child on September 28, he faced criticism for having presented himself as single while sharing his matchmaking activities. On October 5, he explained that while he initially worked in assembly at the factory, he continued to call himself a 'line worker' even after his responsibilities changed, and announced a hiatus for his channel.
In his comeback video, he explained that he had withdrawn from all matchmaking services as soon as he found a partner, and therefore there were no terms of service violations. However, he reflected that staggering the timing of his posts caused confusion, and the indicators for episodes that included fictional elements were also unclear. He also cited that he had no intention of looking down on the manufacturing industry, and that unlike when he started his job, he is no longer a line worker, as reasons for the name change.
According to him, during the peak of the criticism, he was being verbally abused by strangers online 'once every 40 seconds,' and became so self-conscious that he felt anxious even going out on holidays. On X (formerly Twitter) after the video's release, he wrote that, taking viewer feedback into account, he should have changed the channel's content to match the changes in his life.
Comments on the comeback video included messages like 'I've been waiting for those words' and 'I enjoyed it as fiction.' While some people had questions about his past content, others expressed that they enjoyed his storytelling and music, and wished to continue watching even as his life changed.
【Post-filming note】 One month since the controversy. I don't think I've been forgiven, but I wanted to give an update. Reflecting on the feedback received, I realize I should have changed the channel's content to match the changes in my life. Posting a video after so long is still fun, and it would be great if I could have a drink now. Zetsubou — Zetsubou (@zetsubouline) November 9, 2026
Made with AI
