Summary
McDonald’s andPokemonare teaming up once again for a new Happy Meal promotion themed afterPokemon Horizons: The Series. This new incarnation of the long-runningPokemonanime first started airing in Japan last April and finally reached the US via Netflix this March. The series sees the spotlight shift from longtime protagonist Ash Ketchum to a new pair of main characters named Liko and Roy who embark on their own adventures through the region of Paldea, encountering the many newPokemoncreatures introduced in 2022’sPokemon ScarletandVioletalong the way.
With the newPokemonshow well into its run at this point, some fans have wondered if McDonald’s is preparing to release a new Happy Meal promotion to celebrate its success. There have been severalPokemonHappy Meal tie-ins over the past few decades, featuring either special Happy Meal toys or limited-editionPokemontrading cards. One of themost recentPokemonHappy Meal promotionswas held in Japan last August and offered customers a fun assortment of festival-themed toys. Another took place in September and included special cards featuring Pikachu and theScarlet and Violetstarters.
McDonald’s is joining forces withPokemononce again in Japan, as revealed in a pair of new announcement videos posted to the official McDonald’s Japan YouTube channel (viaCBR). The new promotion will run in two waves and feature a small line-up of toys themed afterPokemon Horizons: The Series. The first will run from August 8 to August 15 and offer customers a Captain Pikachu-themed spinning waterwheel, a Poke Ball watering can with a plastic Terrapagos to place on top, a toy shovel patterned afterPokemon ScarletandVioletGrass-type starter Sprigatito, and a small Fuecoco frisbee.
Wave 1 (August 8-15)
Wave 2 (August 16-22)
The second plannedPokemonHappy Meal wave will run from August 16 to 22 and introduce four new toys: a plastic Quaxly that squirts water, a rollerthemed after Captain Pikachu, a toy telescope decorated with a Sprigatito design, and a Poke Ball compass decorated with the images of Fuecoco, Captain Pikachu, Quaxly and Sprigatito. A third and finalPokemonHappy Meal wave will start on August 23 to clear all remaining toys from the previous couple of weeks from each shop’s inventory.
There is currently no word if this newest batch ofPokemonHappy Meal toys will make their way outside of Japan, but it continues a wave of video game-themed promotions by McDonald’s. Earlier this year, the popular fast-food chain offereda limited supply ofKirbyplushiesin Japan, while other territories were lucky enough to snagMultiVersustins and puzzles.
Pokemon
Pokemon is a franchise that needs no introduction. One of the most successful media empires in history, Pokemon spans games, television, films, manga, merchandise, music, and more.
