
The Sanrio sisters get sporty in new Happy Meal team-up.
McDonald’s Japan has a packed schedule of beloved big-name characters to collaborate with, as shown by their recent Pikachu and Rilakkuma Happy Meals. Similarly, Hello Kitty never seems to sit idle, working recently with Uniqlo and Clinique.
But the always busy Sanrio character and fast food chain have found time to team up for an adorable new Hello Kitty Happy Meal toy line, and Kitty-chan’s sister is part of it too!
All of the toys have a sports theme, and as is becoming increasingly for such promotions, they’re being released in a staggered schedule. The first batch, which will be available from September 13 to 26, is all about playing sports, starting with a mini bowling set.
To allow for use in a more compact play space, there are six pins instead of 10, and with different point values written at their tips (either 10, 20, or 30 points). Kitty’s face graces the ball too, which even has finger holes.
▼ They’re pretty shallow, though, so maybe they’re sized for Kitty-chan’s paw pads?
The ball rolls well and has enough mass to knock the pins over, but not so much as to punch a hole in your wall, making it suitable for indoor use.
Next is the basketball set.
Once again, Kitty’s face is on the ball, which has a pebbled texture to mimic the bumps on a leather basketball. The hoop and backboard requires some assembly, but it’s just snapping a few pieces together, so it’s no problem even for kids or those unable to read the Japanese directions. Once ours was set up, we quickly got to trying to beat our personal records for how many buckets we could sink in a row.
▼ Note that the scale of the set is not conducive to slam dunks.
“Hey, why does Hello Kitty have a yellow ribbon instead of a red one?” you might be asking when you see the illustration on one of the paddles in the mini table tennis set.
Actually, though, that’s not Kitty at all with the yellow ribbon. It’s her twin sister, Mimi!
Being made of plastic, the paddles are light, but you can actually knock the ball around pretty strongly with them, so this might actually be best to play with outside, or at least in a room in your home with no breakable items out in the open.
Rounding out the first batch of Hello Kitty Happy Meal toys is the mini golf set.
Like the basketball set, the pin/flag and putter require some assembly, but just a few seconds’ worth. The bow-shaped putter head isn’t just cute, it also makes for a nice broad contact point, and the click as the ball rolls into the cup after a perfect putt is very satisfying.
Moving on to the second batch of toys, which will be available from September 27 to October 10, these four are the “sports spectating” items, starting with a pair of binoculars.
We expected these to be purely decorative, but it turns out they actually do have a magnifying effect. Granted, there’s no zoom or focus controls, but still, the effect is pretty neat
The racket mirror and comb set might not seem like an absolute must if you’re headed to the stadium to watch a live sporting event, but in our selfie and snapshot-loving society, odds are you’ll be snapping a few photos while you’re at the game, in which case they’ll come in handy if you want to check your makeup or hair.
Mimi makes another appearance with her sis on the badminton-themed clapper, which’ll save your palms some pain if you’re making some noise in the stands.
And finally, the towel case is something that’d be nice to have pretty much any time you’re headed out for the day, regardless of if sports are on your schedule.
Officially, McDonald’s says this is an oshibori, or moist towel, holder. Douse the towel in cold water before you close up the case, and you’ll have a refreshingly chilled cloth to wipe yourself off with whether you’re sweaty from sports, shopping, or simply your commute on a hot day.
There’s also a fifth, currently still-secret toy in the second batch, which looks to be a trophy of some kind.
Again, the first batch of toys is available now, with the second on its way October 10. And if you can’t make it to a McDonald’s Japan branch by then, don’t despair, because there’s a third round of Hello Kitty Happy Meals, featuring all nine possible toys, starting on October 11.
Photos ©SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]





















Suntanned Hello Kitty Happy Meal toys on their way to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Hello Kitty’s new McDonald’s Japan Happy Meal items are here, and we’ve got them all to show you【Pics】
50 different Hello Kitties from across kawaii history appear in McDonald’s Japan Happy Meals【Pics】
We get our paws on all 50 Hello Kitty Happy Meal toys at McDonald’s Japan!
Hello Kitty/Yu-Gi-Oh crossover Happy Meal toys appear, but far, far away from Japan
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
7-Eleven Japan to start selling Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches this summer
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino, tea and soda drinks for summer
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Suspected Japanese ice cream cartel under investigation for price-fixing
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro music box to its anime merchandise store in Japan
All-you-can-eat cheese restaurant in Tokyo is a hidden gem not many people know about
Studio Ghibli releases new anime character fans to keep fans looking and feeling cool this summer
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Starbucks Japan releases new limited-edition summer drinks…and a pastry for dunking
Lawson upsizes convenience store food for a limited time with two must-try Japanese meals
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
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
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]
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
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
McDonald’s Japan releases Doraemon anime movie Happy Meal toys, and we’ve got the whole set【Pics】
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
McDonald’s releases Pokémon Happy Meal toys in Japan, but are they actually good?
Pokémon Japanese summer festival toys to make Happy Meals extra-happy at McDonald’s Japan【Pics】
McDonald’s Japan’s Very Hungry Caterpillar Happy Meal toys are very cute【Photos】
McDonald’s Japan’s new Pokémon Happy Meal toys are better than ever
Pokémon Happy Meal toys appear at McDonald’s in Japan
McDonald’s Japan’s Nintendo Happy Meal toys are here, and we’ve got the whole set!【Photos】
Pokémon Happy Meal toys for outdoor fun are on their way to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
New Nintendo toys coming to McDonald’s Japan’s Happy Meals
McDonald’s Japan’s new Chiikawa Happy Meal figures are here![Photos]
McDonald’s Japan has Precure anime magical girl Happy Meal toys, and they’re Wonderful!【Photos】
DBZ at Mickey D’s! McDonald’s Japan launches Dragon Ball anime Happy Meal toys【Video】
McDonald’s Happy Meals in Japan now come with Shinkansen robots
McDonald’s Japan sets anti-scalper rules for Sanrio Happy Meals, may not have happy ending
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan