Global Anime Toy Collaboration to Reach Millions of Fans Around the World
Fans of the popular Japanese anime, manga, and trading card game franchise Yu-Gi-Oh! and iconic lifestyle brand Sanrio’s Hello Kitty are in for a treat. In a never-before-seen collaboration, the two global powerhouses have announced their partnership with fast-food giant McDonald’s. The result? A limited-edition Happy Meal promotion that will feature beloved characters from both brands, appearing on collectible toys, packaging, and menus.
The collaboration, titled Yu-Gi-Oh! X Hello Kitty and Friends, is bound to delight anime fans around the world. The Happy Meal toys will feature a one-of-a-kind mash-up design, combining popular Sanrio® characters with iconic Yu-Gi-Oh! monsters. With a total of 10 new toys to collect, this unique crossover promotion is sure to excite fans of all ages.
“Yu-Gi-Oh! and Hello Kitty and Friends are both global cultural phenomenons, with fans spanning every corner of the globe and generations,” says Jennifer Coleman, Vice President of Licensing and Marketing at Konami Cross Media NY, Inc. “We are thrilled to partner with McDonald’s on this collaboration. The Happy Meal promotion will undoubtedly become a must-have for anime fans worldwide.”
The promotion is set to kick off this spring in Europe, starting with 55 countries, including Belgium, Hungary, Netherlands, Spain, and Greece. It will then expand to countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Mexico, and various Asian markets. The nearly year-long promotion will reach its peak with the introduction of the Yu-Gi-Oh! X Hello Kitty and Friends Happy Meal in the United States, including Puerto Rico, this summer.
The Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand Management at Sanrio, Inc., Jill Koch, adds to the excitement, saying, “We are bringing two beloved brands together for this special promotion and offering fans something unique and unexpected. We hope to surprise and delight our fans around the world with these limited-edition collectibles.”
Fans can look forward to the adorable Hello Kitty dressed as the powerful Dark Magician, Cinnamoroll™ as the legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Badtz-maru™ as the fierce Red-Eyes Black Dragon, and many more exciting mash-ups. Other fan favorites, such as My Melody™, Keroppi™, Pochacco™, Kuromi™, Tuxedosam™, Chococat™, and Pompompurin™, will also make an appearance as Yu-Gi-Oh! monsters. With so many beloved characters and monsters in one happy meal, it’s a dream come true for fans.
The promotion will be available in participating McDonald’s restaurants worldwide, making it a global phenomenon. So, whether you’re a fan of Yu-Gi-Oh! or Hello Kitty, or both, this collaboration is not to be missed. Be sure to keep an eye out for these unique collectible toys and grab them while you can. With the Yu-Gi-Oh! X Hello Kitty and Friends Happy Meal, a duel of cuteness and fun is bound to begin.
