McDonald’s Japan Runs Out of Pokémon Happy Meal Supplies Due to High Demand
by
August 11, 2025
Anything related to Pokémon is sure to sell. McDonald’s is a popular chain in both America and Japan, and the Japanese franchise announced it would have a limited-time exclusive Pokémon Happy Meal. By limited time, I mean three days — August 9, August 10, and August 11. However, McDonald’s Japan didn’t have enough Pokémon goodies made for the number of fans who wanted some!
If you bought a Happy Meal during the time period, it came with a pack of Pokémon cards. One of the cards would definitely be a special Pikachu, and there would also be a random card. You couldn’t just go in and buy the cards, you had to buy the Happy Meal.
So not only were many people buying Happy Meals only to throw out the food and keep the cards, but numerous McDonald’s in Japan ran out of the merchandise before the first day was over, let alone having the stuff for the three days of the event.
Social media has examples of people waiting in long, long lines that go well outside of the restaurant and into the street. There are also pictures of many wasted Happy Meal bags tossed to the side.
Unsurprisingly, some people are attempting to scalp the cards online.
McDonald’s Japan eventually put out this apologetic statement:
“We sincerely apologize for not being able to meet the expectations of our customers who were looking forward to the product due to the early end of distribution. Please refrain from contacting stores regarding stock availability.”
This is far from the first time that there has been such a demand for Pokémon merchandise that things had to end early. For example, the Vincent van Gogh Museum teamed up with Pokémon for a limited-time collaboration, and then had to stop offering the Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat card for reasons of safety and security.
Source: Dexerto
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.