On maps, diagrams and signboards, the line is shown using the color "gold", and its stations are given numbers using the letter "Y".

The proper name as given in an annual report of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is Line No.

Although it was originally planned as a bypass for the established Marunouchi Line through central Tokyo, it was also built to serve the developing wards of Itabashi, Nerima, Toshima, and Koto.

The Yurakucho Line has inter-running counterparts on its northern side, both of which are "major" Japanese private railway companies in Greater Tokyo.

[3] Semi-express (準急) services ran on the Yurakucho Line between June 14, 2008 and March 6, 2010, operating twice hourly between Wakōshi and Shin-Kiba.

The semi-express trains ran between rush hours during weekdays and more frequently on weekends and holidays.

[6] This initial section began construction in 1970 and opened for revenue service on 30 October 1974 as the Yūrakuchō Line.

The northwestern extension to Wakōshi opened on 25 August 1987, allowing through service with the Tōbu Tōjō Line.

The final section from Shintomichō to Shin-kiba opened on 8 June 1988, completing the current line.

On 1 April 2004, the owner of the line changed from Teito Rapid Transit Authority (TRTA, Eidan) to Tokyo Metro due to the former's privatization.