
Last weekend, McDonald’s Japan launched a new Happy Meal, or “happy set” as they’re known here. As with all of the fast food giant’s kid-centric food boxes, these sets come bundled with a gift guaranteed to appeal to children so much that they’ll bug their parents incessantly to take them to the Golden Arches.
This time, however, the bundled gift was a little bit more special than usual, with McDonald’s securing a deal to offer sets of arcade cards for anime sensation Yo-Kai Watch. While that name not (yet) mean much to anime and Happy Meal fans in the West, this collaboration pretty much allows McDonald’s Japan to print money, and there were lines out of the door at dozens of locations from the moment the sets went on sale.
What are kids in Japan all clamouring for right now? Take it away, Mickey D!
There are also idol game Aikatsu! cards available, which are being marketed as the “girls'” happy meal, but the overwhelming majority of customers seem to be lusting after one thing only: Yo-Kai Watch.
To get an idea of how popular this anime series is in Japan right now, take a look at these photos shared over the weekend by amazed and confused Twitter users.
▼ “I went to my local McDonald’s today, but it was super crowded because of Yo-Kai Watch.”
https://twitter.com/ninja09070587/status/508291159324499969
▼”This entire lane of traffic is waiting to get into McDonald’s. I heard it’s because the Happy Meal toy is Yo-Kai Watch. It was never like this even for Pokémon.”
https://twitter.com/812hiromi/status/508098292673028096
▼ “Why is there such a long line outside McDonald’s?”
https://twitter.com/okimiyaaa612/status/508087616319668224
▼ “The line at McDonald’s is crazy LOL”
マクドの行列ヤバイわ(笑) pic.twitter.com/bqoKO9f0zw
— セリナ (@serina_hand) September 6, 2014
▼ “My local McDonald’s.”
ワシの地元のマック、妖怪ウォッチ様のハッピーセット効果でハッピーセットがよう出るよう出る。家から子供たちがよう出るよう出る pic.twitter.com/mXtt4WNyxZ
— エースりくぺゐ (@01rik12) September 6, 2014
Say what you will about McDonald’s, those guys know how to make money through a promo.
Source: Buzz News via Itai News
Feature image: Twitter – Okimiyaaa612, Yokai Watch/Aikatsul image: McDonald’s Japan

Yo-kai Watch starts 2018 on a gloomy note with store closings
McDonald’s Japan updates children’s Happy Meals to be more inspiring and nutritionally sound
Yo-kai watch what the western Yo-kai Watch doesn’t want you to yo-kai watch
Videos of the first four Happy Meal Marios from McDonald’s Japan!
Yo-Kai Watches selling out everywhere, resourceful kids and parents make their own instead
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Starbucks Japan releases special limited-edition summer drinks… at only 30 stores
Lawson transforms convenience store food with massive katsu burger and an insane curry bread
Two of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Luxury houseplant fraud leads to arrest of Takamatsu man
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Body of missing American college student found in Kyoto mountains
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Pikachu is now the McDonald’s Happy Meal Box, but not in Japan
McDonald’s Japan unveils latest anime Happy Meal collaboration: Chiikawa!
McDonald’s Happy Meals in Japan now come with Shinkansen robots
Pikachu Happy Meal toys arrive at McDonald’s, provide electrifying fun for the whole family
McDonald’s Pokémon Happy Meal toys: Summer festival hit or miss?
Youkai Watch chosen for McDonald’s calendar, Pokémon fans sob into their fries
McDonald’s hopes to make kids happy — by teaming up with Japan’s favorite blue friend Doraemon!
This year’s Mario Christmas Happy Meal in Japan is the best!
Why Twitter is awesome: Yo-kai Watch in different art styles
Demon Slayer and Pretty Cure anime-themed Happy Meals arrive at McDonald’s Japan
Investors watching Yo-Kai Watch as hit game/anime series leads stock rally in Japan
McDonald’s Japan releases hilarious Funassyi Happy Meal sets for limited time
McDonald’s Japan celebrates Happy Meal 30th anniversary with awesome travel-size board games
Pokémon Happy Meal trading cards cause chaos at McDonald’s branches in Japan
Pokémon Japanese summer festival toys to make Happy Meals extra-happy at McDonald’s Japan【Pics】