If you are a fan of Pokémon cards, this news from Japan might surprise you. McDonald’s Japan has announced that it will stop selling Happy Meals with Pokémon card giveaways across the country. The reason? The promotion designed for kids turned into a buying frenzy among adults, leaving food wasted and families frustrated.
Why mcdonald’s Japan is ending happy meals with pokémon cards
The special Pokémon-themed Happy Meals, called “Happy Sets” in Japan, came with a small toy like a Pikachu figure and a collectible Pokémon card. They were meant to be a fun treat for children. But things did not go as planned. Here is a breakdown of what happened:
- Resellers rushed to buy the meals in bulk.
- Some discarded the food outside stores to keep only the cards.
- The promotion sold out in just one day.
According to Japanese media reports, mounds of untouched burgers and fries were found near McDonald’s locations.
McDonald’s Japan issued a statement saying:
“We do not believe in abandoning and discarding food. This situation goes against our longtime philosophy that we have cherished as a restaurant to ‘offer a fun dining experience for children and families.’ We sincerely accept that our preparations had not been adequate.”
The company’s plan to prevent this from happening again
McDonald’s Japan says it is learning from the incident. Future promotions may come with stricter rules to make sure they reach the intended customers — children and families.
The company says it may:
- Limit the number of meals each person can buy.
- End online orders for limited promotions.
- Deny service to customers who do not follow the rules.
In their words:
“We vow to return to the basics of what lies behind the Happy Set, which is about helping to bring smiles to families so we can contribute to the wholesome development of the hearts and bodies of children, who are our future.”
Why pokémon cards created such a rush
Pokémon cards are not just popular among kids — adults collect them too. Some of the rarest cards can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. That is why promotions like this can attract resellers who buy in bulk to profit later.
During the McDonald’s Japan campaign, cards from the Happy Meals were being resold online for tens of thousands of yen — in some cases, hundreds of U.S. dollars.
This led to:
- Long lines outside McDonald’s stores.
- Frustration from parents who could not get a Happy Meal for their children.
- Social media posts showing bags full of uneaten food left behind.
Some customers even called it the “Unhappy Meals” campaign.
Reaction from customers in Japan
Many parents were upset that the promotion intended for children was quickly overtaken by adult buyers. On social media, one person wrote:
“I could not buy a Happy Meal for my daughter because of these people.”
Another posted:
“I am sure there are adult Pokémon fans who genuinely want the cards, but these resellers are truly embarrassing.”
Long history of happy meals in Japan
McDonald’s has been selling Happy Meals for more than 40 years worldwide. In Japan, a Happy Set typically costs 510 yen, or about $3.40. Over the years, they have included toys and limited-edition items tied to popular children’s characters.
This Pokémon campaign was expected to be a hit, but instead it showed how a popular collectible can bring unintended problems.
