Ethan Crossfield 
As Pokémon’s 30th anniversary pushes deeper into mainstream culture, McDonald’s is leaning into the same energy with a Japan-only food tie-in. The fast-food giant and the franchise have revealed three new starter-themed burgers—part of a broader partnership that has previously mixed collectibles, in-store events, and Pokémon GO tie-ins.
Three new burgers salute Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle
McDonald’s and Pokémon are collaborating again to celebrate the series’ 30th anniversary, bringing a trio of unique burgers to McDonald’s restaurants in Japan. The lineup is built around the three original starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle.
Squirtle takes the Water-typing route with a roasted sesame tartar shrimp patty. Bulbasaur is represented by a beef burger paired with tartar demi-glace sauce. Charmander, matching its Fire-typing, is served with spicy chicken and topped with spicy garlic sauce.
As with most anniversary tie-ins, availability is limited to a short window, and the burgers are currently listed as part of the Japan promotion.
Packaging-only collectibles—and why that matters
Beyond the food itself, the collaboration is also visible through special packaging. The wraps feature the starter Pokémon, Pikachu, or combinations of multiple Pokémon.
However, the source indicates there aren’t additional promotional items tied to the burgers beyond what’s shown on the packaging. That’s likely intentional: earlier Pokémon McDonald’s promotions in Japan have reportedly drawn both fans and scalpers, leading to stores being overwhelmed and food being discarded when customers were primarily chasing collectibles.
The result, per the source, has been significant food waste during some past collaborations, including reports and photos of many abandoned or unclaimed bags at stores. In this case, the “collectible” element appears to be confined to the packaging design rather than separate pull items or extras.
No confirmed West plans, but more Japan promos are scheduled
At the moment, there’s no news that this specific burger collaboration—or a similar one—will arrive in Western markets. The source suggests it may be exclusive to Japan, where the Pokémon franchise began.
That doesn’t mean the anniversary is Japan-only overall. The 30th anniversary celebrations include other announcements and events outside the country, such as new Pokémon card sets, a Target Pokémon 30th anniversary collection, and additional content for select Pokémon games. In the West, the franchise also made a large splash earlier in the year with a 30th anniversary advertisement during the Super Bowl.
Meanwhile, McDonald’s is continuing its Pokémon momentum in Japan. The source notes a multi-pronged campaign running through the month, including Pokémon toys, special Chicken McNuggets, and a lottery tied to a “Summer Chance Bag” featuring Pokémon loot. It also points to further announcements: on July 31, McDonald’s will reveal new Pokémon Happy Meals in Japan, and participating locations will temporarily act as PokéStops in Pokémon GO.
Key points
- McDonald’s and Pokémon are celebrating the 30th anniversary with three starter-themed burgers in Japan.
- The burger lineup features Bulbasaur (beef + tartar demi-glace), Charmander (spicy chicken + spicy garlic sauce), and Squirtle (roasted sesame tartar shrimp patty).
- Special packaging highlights the starters and Pikachu, with no additional promotional items beyond the packaging.
- No confirmed West rollout—while Japan continues with Happy Meals, Pokémon GO PokéStop activity, and other McDonald’s Pokémon promos.
| Starter Pokémon | Burger type (confirmed) | Topping/sauce (confirmed) | Typing tie-in (confirmed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squirtle | Roasted sesame tartar shrimp patty | Tartar element; sesame roast (as described) | Water-typing |
| Bulbasaur | Beef burger | Tartar demi-glace sauce | Noted as Bulbasaur’s starter role (typing referenced via pairing to the theme) |
| Charmander | Spicy chicken | Spicy garlic sauce | Fire-typing |
Expert View
This burger reveal signals that Pokémon and McDonald’s are treating the 30th anniversary as a full-spectrum brand push—food as a gateway to community activity, not just a short-lived gimmick. The emphasis on packaging (rather than separate collectible extras) also suggests a learning cycle from prior Japan promotions, where scalping and food waste became visible problems. For the competitive scene and content creators, expect more crossovers that connect physical locations to Pokémon GO behavior, since that’s the kind of mechanic that naturally drives foot traffic, social posts, and sustained engagement around the anniversary.
