Cory DeVante Williams, better known to millions of Samurai as CoryxKenshin, is a bit of a mystery. He disappears for nine months. He comes back. He breaks the internet. He leaves again. While his YouTube hiatuses are the stuff of legend, people are surprisingly confused about the basics. Specifically, where was CoryxKenshin born and where did he actually grow up?
The internet has a funny way of twisting facts. You’ll see some wikis claim one thing, while Twitter stans argue another. If you've been following the Shogun since the Spartan-117 days or even the Happy Wheels era, you know he’s proud of his roots. But the geography of his life is more than just a trivia point. It’s the backdrop for his entire "work hard, stay humble" vibe.
The Michigan Connection: Where Was CoryxKenshin Born?
Let’s set the record straight. CoryxKenshin was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. That’s the factual anchor. He entered the world on November 9, 1992. Ann Arbor is a college town, home to the University of Michigan, and it has a specific kind of energy—academic but gritty. It’s not just some random detail. Being born in Michigan defines the "Midwest Nice" energy Cory brings to every single video. You can hear it in his cadence. You see it in his values.
He didn't stay in Ann Arbor forever, though. Most fans associate him with Detroit or the surrounding suburbs like Farmington Hills. Growing up in the Detroit metro area isn't like growing up in LA or NYC. There’s a different level of hustle required there. Michigan winters are brutal. Maybe that’s why he’s so good at staying inside and grinding out those legendary edits.
People often get his birthplace mixed up because he’s lived in different parts of the state. He spent a significant amount of time in Detroit, which he references frequently. If you've watched his older vlogs, you’ve seen the suburban Michigan backdrop—the grey skies, the familiar brick houses, the casual trips to local spots. It’s a far cry from the flashy mansions of the "clout chasers" he famously avoids.
Why Michigan Matters to the Samurai
Cory isn't a guy who forgot where he came from. Some YouTubers hit 10 million subscribers and immediately catch the first flight to a Beverly Hills rental. Not Cory. He stayed in Michigan for the longest time. He even attended Michigan State University (MSU) for a while, studying Computer Science, before realizing his heart was in content creation. Later, he gave the University of Michigan a shot too.
Think about that. He was born in the shadow of one of the biggest universities in the country, tried to follow the traditional path there, and then chose a different one. It’s a classic Michigan story of Reinvention.
Moving Beyond the Birthplace
While we know where CoryxKenshin was born, his life hasn't been static. He’s a traveler. A few years back, there was a whole saga about him moving. He eventually settled into a new place, which many fans believe is in the South—specifically Georgia.
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Why the move? Honestly, Michigan is cold. Really cold. After decades of shoveling snow, a lot of people head toward Atlanta or similar hubs. But even though he’s changed his zip code, his identity is firmly rooted in that 734 and 313 area code.
You can tell he misses it sometimes. In some of his "S-S-S-Sunday" videos or random life updates, there's a certain nostalgia when he talks about his family back home. His dad, Anthony K. Williams, and his mom, Stephanie, are massive influences on him. His upbringing in a Christian household in Michigan is what gave him that "Clean Content" North Star. He doesn't cuss. He doesn't lean on shock value. That’s that Michigan upbringing talking.
Clearing Up the Rumors
Is CoryxKenshin from Japan? No.
Does he live in Japan? Also no.
It’s kind of funny that we even have to clarify this, but because of his name—Kenshin—and his deep love for Japanese culture, anime, and Samurai aesthetics, some new viewers get confused. He’s a massive fan of Rurouni Kenshin. He loves the culture. He’s visited Japan and made some incredible vlogs there. But he’s an American kid through and through.
Another weird rumor: some people think he was born in California because that’s where "everyone" is born. Wrong. Cory is part of that rare breed of creators who proved you don't need a Hollywood zip code to become the GOAT of gaming YouTube.
The Impact of His Roots on His Content
The "Shogun" persona isn't just a cool nickname. It’s about discipline. If you look at the Michigan landscape—specifically the Detroit area—there’s a history of craftsmanship. Whether it’s cars or Motown, people there take pride in the "make" of a thing.
Cory’s editing style is his craft. He doesn't just cut clips; he times them to the beat. He adds subtitles that have their own personality. He creates a rhythm. That’s a very "Blue Collar" approach to a "White Collar" digital job. He puts in the hours. When he’s "on," he’s the hardest working person on the platform.
Where He Is Now vs. Where He Started
Looking back at where CoryxKenshin was born in 1992 versus where he is in 2026 is wild. He’s gone from a kid in Ann Arbor to a global icon with over 18 million subscribers. He’s been in a Five Nights at Freddy's movie. He’s got his own merch line that sells out in seconds.
But if you watch a video from 2014 and a video from today, the core remains the same. He’s still that guy from Michigan who just wants to make you laugh and tell you that God loves you. He hasn't let the fame "California-ize" him.
Key Takeaways on Cory’s Origins
- Birthplace: Ann Arbor, Michigan.
- Birthday: November 9, 1992.
- Education: Attended MSU and U of M, focusing on Computer Science before going full-time on YouTube.
- Cultural Roots: Deeply connected to the Detroit metro area and a proud Michigan native.
- Family: Strong ties to his parents and siblings (his brother Anthony even has his own channel).
The Legacy of the 734
Understanding the geography of CoryxKenshin helps you understand the man. He isn't a product of an influencer incubator. He’s a product of the Midwest. He’s someone who valued education, family, and faith long before he ever picked up a controller for a living.
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When you ask where was CoryxKenshin born, you aren't just looking for a city on a map. You’re looking for the origin of the Samurai. You’re looking for the place that taught him that you can be yourself, stay clean, and still be the most popular guy in the room. Michigan might be known for its lakes and its industry, but for the Samurai community, it’ll always be known as the birthplace of the King of Horror Games.
If you're looking to dive deeper into Cory's journey, the best thing you can do is go back to his 2012-2013 vlogs. They aren't high-def. The lighting is kinda bad. But they show the real Michigan streets he walked and the genuine excitement of a creator who had no idea he was about to change the world.
What You Should Do Next
To truly appreciate the "Shogun's" journey from Ann Arbor to YouTube royalty, watch his "10 Million Subscriber" documentary. It's one of the few times he really pulls back the curtain on his personal history and the struggles he faced while trying to make it in the industry from his bedroom in Michigan. It provides the context that no Wikipedia page can. From there, keep an eye on his "Community" tab on YouTube—that’s usually the first place he drops hints about his next move or his next return to his home state.