Key Facts
• August 9, McDonald’s Japan announced early end of Pokémon card distribution.
• Promotion was planned for August 9–11 but ended due to high demand.
• Pokémon cards were included in Happy Meals alongside toys for a limited time.
• McDonald’s limited purchases to 5 sets per customer to prevent bulk buying.
• Collaboration with Mercari aimed to curb high-priced resales.
• Resale listings appeared online, with 20 cards priced at ¥15,000.
• Social media users expressed concern for children unable to obtain the cards.
• McDonald’s apologized for not meeting customer expectations and requested no stock inquiries.
• Pokémon cards are globally popular, with rare cards often resold at high prices.
Summary
McDonald’s Japan ended its Pokémon card Happy Meal promotion early due to overwhelming demand. Initially planned for August 9–11, the campaign saw cards distributed alongside toys, with a purchase limit of five sets per customer to deter bulk buying. Despite preventive measures, resale listings appeared online, with some offering 20 cards for ¥15,000. McDonald’s collaborated with Mercari to discourage high-priced resales and urged customers to act responsibly. Social media users criticized the situation, highlighting the disappointment of children unable to obtain the cards. McDonald’s issued an apology for the early conclusion and requested customers refrain from inquiring about stock availability. Pokémon cards remain highly sought after globally, with rare editions often commanding significant resale value.
