McDonald's Japan recently launched its highly anticipated Happy Meal toy series featuring characters from "Chiikawa" and the upcoming "A Minecraft Movie." Due to unprecedented demand, the first wave of toys, released on May 16, 2025, has already sold out at most locations, far exceeding expectations. The news immediately sparked widespread discussion and frustration across social media.
On May 18, 2025, McDonald's issued a statement on its official website, acknowledging the immense popularity of the Happy Meal collaboration with "Minecraft" and "Chiikawa," which led to a rapid sell-out of the first wave of items in a short period.
In response, the company urged customers to look forward to the second wave, set to launch on May 23, and apologized to disappointed patrons: "We deeply regret not being able to meet the expectations of our eagerly awaiting customers, and we ask for your understanding."
The incident quickly ignited a firestorm on social media platforms, with the keyword "early termination" (早期終了) even trending in Japan. Many users expressed their disappointment and frustration, lamenting comments like, "I was hoping to grab one after work, but they're already gone," and "I probably won't get the second wave either."
Numerous voices also pointed fingers at scalpers, believing that this promotional event, originally intended to create cherished memories for children, has been ruined by resale speculation. One user hoped "children aren't affected by these unethical adults."
Addressing consumer dissatisfaction, McDonald's reiterated its commitment to continuously offering appealing, brand-specific products and striving to ensure more people can safely enjoy the fun of Happy Meals. Whether the second wave of products can alleviate the intense demand remains to be seen.
via： ORICON NEWS