McDonald's has kicked off its New Year's campaign with two exciting collaborations sure to please fans. Starting December 30, 2024, the fast-food giant introduces its "Shaka Shaka Potato Happy Turn Flavor", aiming to coincide perfectly with the festive season.
The much-anticipated product blends the popular Shaka Shaka Potato with the distinctly delicious Happy Turn taste, courtesy of Kameda Seika, the renowned Japanese snack company known for its rice crackers. This collaboration has caused quite the stir on social media, with fans eagerly sharing their thoughts online. The combination promises to deliver the perfect sprinkle of sweetness and saltiness, creating what many describe as 'addictive flavor'. McDonald's Japan tweeted about the new product on December 23, igniting excitement among its loyal customers.
The Shaka Shaka Potato Happy Turn Flavor will be available from December 30, 2024, until early February 2025, with customers able to enjoy the offer at any 24-hour location until closing time. The pricing starts at 40 yen more when purchased as part of the regular potato menu.
Meanwhile, McDonald's also announced its second collaboration with the iconic anime series "Neon Genesis Evangelion", celebrating the show's 30th anniversary by launching three Evangelion-themed burgers on January 6, 2025. This follows the earlier collaboration where they offered figurines inspired by the series, sparking considerable fanfare and nostalgia.
The new Evangelion burgers include innovative creations like the "Zaku-cut Potatoes & Thick Beef Delightful Garlic Mayo" and "Mexican Cheese Chicken", both drawing from the distinctive elements of the anime. The enticing advertisement features the original theme song of the show, "A Cruel Angel's Thesis", creatively tied to scenes reminiscent of the actual anime. The iconic phrases from the show have been cleverly adapted, generating buzz across platforms as fans reminisce about their favorite moments from the series.
To commemorate the launch, all the burgers will feature custom-designed buns inspired by the show's "A.T. Field," aiming to heighten the world of Evangelion and entice fans with characters' memorable lines and visuals as they enjoy their meals. Limited-edition packaging will be available, amplifying the collaborative experience.
Social media has seen high traffic around the release countdown, with hashtags like #Macからエヴァンゲリオンバーガー誕生 trending rapidly. The quickly shared clips depict Ayanami Rei and other characters paired with McDonald's symbols, which has generated playful excitement about the marketing efforts. Expectations have climbed as customers gear up for the launch, reminiscing about the impact Eva has made since its debut, and questioning not to miss out on this limited-time offering. The ad campaign will also incorporate direct messages from the beloved characters, promising to leave fans eagerly conversing as they anticipate tasting the new value set figures and burgers.
Overall, McDonald's campaign combines nostalgic anime with unique culinary experiences, catering to both long-time fans of fast food and anime enthusiasts. This innovative approach is aimed at becoming one of the highlights of 2025's New Year's festivities, with enticing flavors and culture merging to create celebratory moments across Japan.
