McDonald’s partners with Pokémon to create its new Happy Meal

McDonald’s partners with Pokemon on a new Happy Meal coming overseas. Pokemon recently celebrated the first anniversary of its new anime, Pokémon Horizons: The Seriesearlier this spring. It marks a new era for the franchise without Ash Ketchum at the center of its adventures, and instead follows a new group of characters who began their journey from the very beginning. Each new episode airing in Japan continues to tell this story, and it’s been such a success that it’s now partnering with McDonald’s on a new Happy Meal.

McDonald’s Japan is no stranger to associating with anime projects with promotions highlighting Kiki Delivery Service, Jujutsu Kaisen and more in the past, and it’s naturally no stranger to Pokémon with all sorts of Happy Meals and collectibles released over the years. Now, starting August 9 in Japan, McDonald’s Japan will be releasing new Happy Meal toys inspired by Pokémon Horizons: The Series. You can check out the promotion for the new Pokemon Happy Meal collaboration below.

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— ?????? (@McDonaldsJapan) August 2, 2024

How to watch Pokémon Horizons

New episodes of Pokémon Horizons: The Series are now released in Japan on a weekly basis and are released on a quarterly schedule with Netflix. There are currently two parts available to watch with the streaming service with 23 episodes available in total, and the third part of the series will actually be released later this week (with the English dub option being the only one available). As for what to expect from this new era of the Pokemon Anime Without Ash as Central Character, According to The Pokemon Company Pokémon Horizons: The Series as such:

“A new adventure begins in the vast world of Pokémon! Upon arriving at Indigo Academy, a young girl named Liko receives her first partner Pokémon, Sprigatito. But she soon finds herself pursued by the Explorers, a mysterious group determined to steal the pendant she wears. Liko is not alone, however, as Friede, Captain Pikachu, and the other Rising Volt Tacklers offer her protection aboard their airship. Meanwhile, a boy named Roy dreams of becoming a Pokémon Trainer, unaware of the secret hidden within the ancient Poké Ball he carries. As Liko, Roy, and the Rising Volt Tacklers set sail for new horizons, what sort of discoveries await them?”