This time, we had the opportunity to interview Kouki from the Main High Channel.
In his second year of high school, Kouki became wheelchair-bound after diving into an empty pool. Although he once gave up on his dream of becoming a comedian, it was the words of his best friend and childhood buddy that reignited his passion.
As a pioneer in "Disability x Comedy," Kouki from Main High has established his position and is actively working. When Ayumi first interviewed him, he was strongly perceived as a "YouTuber." However, as of 2026, many people see him as a "multi-talented wheelchair comedian" who spans "TV, events, and social media."
We delved into Kouki's roots and his passion for YouTube, where he consistently brings laughter through social media centered on YouTube, so please read until the end.
*Information was verified and partially updated on March 13, 2026.
1. What is Main High? Unveiling the Secret to the Popularity of Disabled YouTubers!
The Main High Channel is an entertainment-focused YouTube group formed by Kouki and his childhood friends Arashi and Yuta.
Their unique chemistry, stemming from their long-standing friendship, and their ability to turn disabilities into humor, have garnered popularity among both men and women.
They launched their channel in 2019, and as of October 2024, they have 111,000 subscribers and over 53 million total views.
Let's delve into the charm of the Main High Channel.
1-1. Why Main High is Loved by Viewers
In the Main High Channel, they intentionally cherish inside jokes only they understand.
"By delivering what the three of us genuinely find funny, we believe the viewers will enjoy it too," says Kouki.
The ability to turn disabilities into humor is possible because of the relationship among the three.
Moreover, Arashi and Yuta's positive attitude of not overly focusing on the disability is a significant aspect.
By interacting as childhood friends rather than as a person with a disability, they can joke and banter, making each moment entertaining.
Here is a recommended video that showcases their relationship.
Reference: Main High Channel｜【Disability】From Best Friend to Caregiver, A Day in the Life of a Disabled Person
Arashi and Yuta, who are both childhood friends and caregivers, offer a glimpse into their everyday lives, so if you're interested, be sure to check it out.
1-2. Main High: A Slightly Unusual Comedy Trio
Because of the disability, there are certain things they are conscious of in their videos.
That is autonomy.
To avoid misunderstandings that they are being forced due to the disability, they ensure that their desire to do something is clearly conveyed.
They also emphasize the importance of an environment that allows them to do so. With Arashi and Yuta, who are also caregivers, by their side, they don't have to give up on what they can do.
The first video they posted on YouTube was about a journey across Southeast Asia in a wheelchair. It involved hitchhiking and camping out as they aimed to cross the region, and they managed to take on the 15-day challenge even in developing countries without well-established welfare facilities.
Reference: Main High Channel｜【Unprecedented!?】A Journey Across Foreign Lands by a Disabled Person!? #1 Opening
Kouki in a wheelchair, along with his childhood friends and caregivers Arashi and Yuta, form a seemingly unusual trio, but there are many videos that only the three of them can create.
1-3. Overcoming Disbandment and Resuming Activities as a Duo
Main High disbanded once in December 2022.
This was due to Yuta, a member, experiencing health issues.
While working as a YouTuber, he suffered from gastroenteritis, making it difficult to continue activities.
Along with a decline in motivation, they decided to prioritize health, leading to the disbandment.
Later, in May 2023, Kouki and Arashi reformed Main High as a duo.
With lingering feelings about YouTube, they resumed activities as a duo, encouraged by Terada Yusuke, a wheelchair influencer.
Upon reformation, Yuta posted the following on X.
2. Why Did Kouki Aspire to Be a YouTuber?
Since middle school, Kouki's dream was to become a comedian. With his innate cheerfulness, he had decided to pursue comedy with Arashi after graduation.
However, in his second year of high school, his life took a dramatic turn.
During a late summer night, he was invited by friends to dive into an elementary school pool, only to find it empty. After hitting his head hard, Kouki realized he couldn't move his body.
He believed he would recover someday, but one day he was suddenly confronted with the reality of spinal cord injury.
"I'm going to be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life."
He was devastated by the harsh reality. However, that period didn't last long.
He was so focused on rehabilitation every day that he didn't have time to feel down and started thinking about how to enjoy life from then on.
Later, Kouki joined the Mainstream Association, which supports independent living for people with disabilities, and his perspective on life was completely transformed.
2-1. Unable to Give Up on Becoming a Comedian
At the Mainstream Association, there were various people, including couples of people with disabilities and those without, couples with disabilities, and even heavy respiratory users who smoked.
There, his image of people with disabilities changed 180 degrees.
He realized that living freely and enjoying life as oneself was the kind of society he wanted.
Kouki himself engaged in caregiving dispatch and awareness activities at the Mainstream Association, and he found every day to be enjoyable and fulfilling.
During that time, Arashi, inspired by the success of Yutaro Hamada, a visually impaired solo comedian and R1 champion, invited Kouki to "try comedy again".
After realizing his spinal cord injury, Kouki had decided to give up on becoming a comedian to avoid burdening Arashi, so he refused multiple times.
However, when Arashi finally said, "You only live once. Are you sure you don't want to do this?" Kouki decided to pursue his long-held dream of becoming a comedian again.
2-2. The Story Behind the Formation of Main High Channel!
Deciding to become comedians, the two moved to Tokyo to pursue their dream. However, shortly after, the global COVID-19 pandemic hit, preventing them from performing stand-up comedy in theaters.
Originally, becoming a comedian was a path chosen to become popular. So, they started YouTube, where they could broadcast without a theater.
They invited Yuta, who was a truck driver, and began filming the Southeast Asia crossing project mentioned earlier.
The journey led Yuta to move to Tokyo, officially joining as a member.
Thus, the Main High Channel was formed.
3. What Kouki Wants to Convey Through YouTube
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