Jacob Geller - Usually discusses video games, but has also covered some history and film. Has wholly unique takes and ways of describing aspects of things that I thoroughly enjoy. Has made one of my all time favorite video essays that I have watched multiple times.
[may contain horror media, discussions of existential topics]
Game Maker's Toolkit - Fascinating video game essayist who usually talks about the construction of video games, like how they work and the design that goes into them. Completed work on designing, developing, and sharing his own game and walked viewers through the entire process. Also has a lovely voice and is nice to listen to.
Super Eyepatch Wolf - Covers really interesting topics and goes in-depth into some strange aspects of pop culture. Delightful to listen to and watch, uncovers a lot of angles and things that maybe you’ve never heard of. Also has a
second channel of his video game playthroughs that are quite entertaining.
[may contain horror media, some slightly existential topics]
Ryan Hollinger - Exclusively discusses horror movies, from the big budget to the indie films. Known for the way he says “however”. I’ve found a lot of horror movies to watch through his channel. Opinionated but analytical and just gives a nice coverage of horror films. Great for if you like horror but have a hard time actually watching horror movies.
[horror]
Sagan Hawkes - Long form video essays on horror media, mostly horror video games. Excellent videos that often have skits interwoven in them. Makes their own music for their videos!
[horror]
blameitonjorge - Covers a lot of lost media, which I have always found tragically fascinating. Also does videos on weird things found on the internet, mysteries such as unsolved disappearances, and conspiracies. Even has a video on the Gravity Falls Cipher hunt. I follow for the lost media videos and the stuff that’s found by the community.
[sensitive topics]
Mother's Basement - Does funny and informative videos about anime, both new and old. Most of the anime I watch these days is at his recommendation. He does these fun tier lists of both his favorite things he’s watched, and the things he hated to watch during the summer/winter, all without spoiling anything in case you wanted to check it out for yourself. Also did these I think three long video essays on anime that was made by a cult. A lot of fun.
[may contain sensitive topics and slightly nsfw content]
Baumgartner Restoration - If you just need something chill to watch/listen to, with something beautiful and amazing to go along with it, I highly recommend this channel. Julian Baumgartner documents his work and process and tools as he restores client’s paintings and other art pieces of all shapes and sizes. It’s really amazing to watch him take something almost incomprehensibly damaged by time (or other things) and turn it into what it likely would have looked like at the time of its creation. And he does it all with a very calm, soothing voice over. no background music, and an excruciating amount of patience.
