McDonald's brings Pokémon Happy Meals to US after Japan chaos
The gist
McDonald's launched Pokémon Happy Meals nationwide on Nov. 10 with 15 toys and 15 trading cards.
The US rollout follows a 2025 Japan giveaway that resellers stripped for cards.
How it unfolded
- Aug 9, 2025McDonald's Japan offered an exclusive pack of Pokémon cards with every Happy Meal, each set priced at roughly 500 yen ($3.50), with a five-meal-per-person limit.
- Aug 13, 2025McDonald's Japan canceled the Pokémon Happy Meal campaign and apologized after resellers rushed to buy the meals and discarded the food, leaving trash outside stores; the meals sold out in a day, according to Japanese media.
- Aug 21, 2025McDonald's Japan postponed a One Piece child's menu toy promotion after complaints that the Pokémon giveaway led to piles of food being dumped and cards being sold on for profit.
Key terms
- resellers
- A company or individual that buys goods or services in order to sell them for profit rather than use them.
- booster packs
- A sealed package of cards or figurines in collectible games, designed to add to a player's collection.
- Happy Set
- A kids' meal sold at McDonald's since 1979, usually including a small toy or book.
Source: Wikipedia