Crash Course is made by Complexly, a media company founded by John and Hank Green

Crash Course is produced by Complexly, an independent educational media studio. John Green, the author of The Fault in Our Stars, and his brother Hank Green started the company. The channel launched in 2012 and now hosts hundreds of videos across subjects like history, biology, chemistry, literature, and world cultures.

The videos are not made by a single person. Each series has a host who teaches on camera, a writing team that researches and scripts the content, animators, editors, and producers working behind the scenes. The hosts are educators, subject-matter experts, or people with deep knowledge of their topic — not celebrities reading a script.

Key Takeaways

  • Crash Course is owned and operated by Complexly, an independent media company founded by John and Hank Green in 2012.
  • Each video series has a dedicated host who teaches on camera, supported by writers, animators, and editors who research and produce the content.
  • Hosts are chosen for their knowledge and teaching ability in their subject area, not for fame or name recognition.
  • Crash Course is free to watch on YouTube and funded through Complexly's other ventures, including merchandise and educational partnerships.
  • The company also produces other educational channels like Crash Course Kids and Scishow, all under the Complexly umbrella.

Who are the regular Crash Course hosts

Different series have different hosts. Craig Sechler teaches U.S. History and World History. Carrie Nugent covers Astronomy. Iman Gadzhi and others have hosted Business and Entrepreneurship. Hank Green himself has hosted some series, including Crash Course Biology. The hosts rotate depending on the subject and the series.

Hosts are selected based on their background and ability to explain complex ideas clearly. Some are teachers, some are scientists, some are writers. The common thread is that they know their material and can make it interesting to watch. Crash Course does not hire celebrities to read scripts — the people on camera are there because they understand what they are teaching.

How Crash Course videos are researched and written

Before a host ever appears on camera, a writing team researches the topic thoroughly. Writers pull from academic sources, textbooks, and informed interviews to build the script. The goal is to be accurate while keeping the explanation straightforward enough for a high school student to follow.

The scripts go through multiple rounds of review. Subject-matter experts check for accuracy. Educators review them to make sure the pacing and language work for the intended audience. Once the script is locked, the host records their narration, and the animation and graphics team builds the visual elements that appear on screen.

The animation and design team behind each video

Crash Course videos are known for their fast-paced animations and colorful graphics. A dedicated animation and design team creates these visuals. They work from the script to illustrate concepts, show historical timelines, diagram scientific processes, or visualize abstract ideas. The animations are not stock footage — they are custom-made for each video.

The visual style is consistent across the channel, which helps viewers recognize a Crash Course video when ready. But each series can have its own look depending on the subject. History videos might use period artwork and maps, while biology videos use diagrams and microscopic imagery.

Complexly's other educational channels

Crash Course is Complexly's flagship, but the company runs several other educational channels on YouTube. Scishow covers science news and explains how things work. Crash Course Kids teaches younger viewers. Crash Course Navigating Digital Citizenship covers online safety and media literacy. Crash Course Sociology, Psychology, and Philosophy are standalone series within the Crash Course brand.

All of these channels follow the same model: informed hosts, thorough research, custom animation, and free access on YouTube. Complexly's mission is to make education accessible, which is why none of the content is behind a paywall.

How Crash Course is funded

Crash Course videos are free to watch, but producing them costs money. Complexly funds the channel through several sources. YouTube ad revenue from the videos themselves provides some income. The company also sells merchandise — t-shirts, hoodies, and other items branded with Crash Course logos. Educational institutions sometimes license Crash Course content for classroom use, which generates additional revenue.

Hank Green has also mentioned that the success of John Green's books and other Complexly projects helps fund the educational work. The company treats Crash Course as a long-term investment in education rather than a quick profit center, which is why the videos remain free and ad-free for viewers who use YouTube's ad-free option.

How to find out who teaches a specific Crash Course series

The host's name appears in the video title and in the first few seconds of each episode. If you are watching a series, the channel description and the series playlist will list the host. You can also check the Crash Course website or the Complexly social media accounts for information about who teaches each subject.

If you want to learn more about a specific host, many of them have their own social media accounts or websites. Some have written books, taught at universities, or worked in their field before joining Crash Course. A quick search for the host's name will usually turn up their background and other work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Crash Course made by teachers?

Not all hosts are classroom teachers, but many have teaching experience or work in education. Most are experts in their subject area — scientists, historians, writers, or professionals in their field. The focus is on knowledge and the ability to explain clearly, not on having a teaching credential.

Can I use Crash Course videos in my classroom?

Yes. Crash Course videos are free to use for educational purposes. Teachers regularly show them in class or assign them as homework. Some schools have licensing agreements with Complexly for additional resources, but the videos themselves are available to anyone on YouTube.

Does John Green appear in Crash Course videos?

John Green does not regularly host series, but he appears occasionally in Crash Course content. His brother Hank Green has hosted multiple series, including Biology. John's main role is as a founder and creative director of Complexly rather than as an on-camera host.

How long does it take to make one Crash Course video?

A single video typically takes several weeks to produce from start to finish. This includes research, writing, script review, recording, animation, editing, and final quality checks. The exact timeline varies depending on the complexity of the topic and the amount of custom animation needed.

Are Crash Course videos peer-reviewed?

The scripts are reviewed by subject-matter experts before production, but the videos are not formally peer-reviewed in the academic sense. Complexly prioritizes accuracy and works with experts in each field, but the content is educational media, not academic research.