Finally, McDonald's locations in the United States are getting a fun crossover that isn't limited to Japan, as Hello Kitty and friends are dressing up as beloved monsters from Godzilla films in a new collection of Happy Meal toys. Fans of Japanese popular culture are all too aware that Japanese locations of the fast-food giant seem to get all the fun collaborations, but Americans aren't being left out this time around, and fans of Sanrio and kaiju won't want to miss out on this unique set of miniature figures.
McDonald's often harnesses the power of pop culture, and in Japan, there seems to be a new set of toys or a unique character-inspired menu item every week. Currently, restaurants in Japan are celebrating Pokemon's 30th anniversary with three new burgers: a Squirtle burger featuring a roasted sesame tartar shrimp patty, a Charmander burger with spicy garlic, and a Bulbasaur burger coated with a tartar demi-glace sauce. McDonald's Japan has also teamed up with major manga series like Baki and Saint Seiya this year, but now, American fans looking for a blend of adorable and terrifying are in for a treat.
Eight Hello Kitty X Godzilla Happy Meal Toys Are Headed to McDonald’s in the US
Starting August 18, McDonald's Happy Meals in the US will include one of eight unique toys combining some of Sanrio's most popular characters and the most fearsome kaiju from the Godzilla film series. Happy Meals will also come in a special Godzilla-themed box, and those interested in collecting all available figures may want to act fast. Unfortunately, over the past few years, scalpers have become a serious problem, and it's likely that some of these adorable toys will end up on eBay for a ridiculous markup.
The following toys will be available:
- Hello Kitty x Godzilla
- My Melody x Mothra
- Kuromi x Mechagodzilla
- Keroppi x King Ghidorah
- Badz-Maru x Rodan
- Cinnamoroll x Destoroyah
- Chococat x SpaceGodzilla
- Pompompurin x Gigan
Though Hello Kitty largely remains the face of the Sanrio brand, the character isn't the most popular with fans worldwide. Each year, the Sanrio Character Ranking poll asks people to cast their vote for their favorite personality, and for 2026, Pompompurin took home the top prize, with Cinnamoroll coming in second and Pochacco coming in third. Regardless, those who still love the character are in luck, as a Hello Kitty LEGO set was recently leaked, with a release potentially coming in 2027.
In recent years, the many adorable faces of Sanrio have started to explore the world of video games in a big way. In 2023, Hello Kitty Island Adventure was released on mobile devices, but it was its 2025 jump to Nintendo Switch, PC, and PlayStation 5 that saw the life simulation title surge in popularity. The game, which is reminiscent of the Animal Crossing franchise, invites players to join forces with their favorite Sanrio personalities as they solve puzzles, take on quests, and build the island of their dreams.
Guess the anime from the emojis.
Guess the anime from the emojis.
This isn't the first time Godzilla has collaborated with a popular IP in 2026. In June, Bandai revealed a chibi version of Unit-01 and Godzilla blended together, with the figure quickly flying off digital shelves. In July, S.H. MonsterArts unveiled 'Evangelion Test Type-01 "G" Awakening Form,' a more realistic and haunting version of the terrifying crossover between Shinji's Eva and the King of the Monsters. In the realm of movies, the most recent Godzilla film, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, was released in 2024, with a sequel, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, coming to theaters in March 2027.