McDonald's Japan Debuts Studio Ghibli-Style Anime Ads for Samurai Mac
To promote its Samurai Mac burger, McDonald's Japan has unveiled an animated series inspired by Studio Ghibli, featuring three episodes created by illustrator Uraura Urachan. These episodes showcase a couple enjoying a meal at sunset and have been shared on social media platforms. This initiative continues McDonald's tradition of anime-themed marketing, which includes a 2016 recruitment video by Studio Colorido featuring AKB48, Urachan's viral advertisement from 2023, a 2024 adaptation of Eiko Kadono's 'Kiki - Consegne a domicilio', and a partnership with Studio Pierrot. Looking ahead, a nostalgia campaign in 2025 blended live-action with 1980s animation, while in 2026, Gensho Yasuda produced a 'Bad Apple!!' themed advertisement. Globally, McDonald's collaborates with various artists, such as Acky Bright in 2024 and TBWA\Paris in France.
Key facts
- McDonald's Japan launched a new anime-style ad campaign for the Samurai Mac burger.
- The campaign consists of three short animated episodes by illustrator Uraura Urachan.
- The ads depict a young couple meeting after a festival and sharing food at sunset.
- Urachan previously created Ghibli-style illustrations for McDonald's Japan in 2023.
- In 2016, McDonald's Japan used Studio Colorido for a recruitment campaign with AKB48 voice actors.
- In 2024, McDonald's Japan released an animated adaptation of 'Kiki - Consegne a domicilio' by Eiko Kadono, directed by Yoko Kuno.
- In 2024, McDonald's Japan collaborated with Studio Pierrot on a four-episode anime series.
- In 2026, McDonald's Japan partnered with animator Gensho Yasuda for a 'Bad Apple!!' themed spot.
- In 2024, mangaka Acky Bright redesigned McDonald's packaging in the US under the brand 'WcDonald's'.
- The French branch of McDonald's has a history of collaborating with artists like Olivier Favart and Roberto Badin.
Entities
Artists
- Uraura Urachan
- Eiko Kadono
- Yoko Kuno
- Aoi Yūki
- Gensho Yasuda
- Acky Bright
- Olivier Favart
- Roberto Badin
- Eiichirō Oda
Institutions
- McDonald's Japan
- Studio Colorido
- AKB48
- Studio Pierrot
- Touhou Project
- TBWA\Paris
- Artribune
- McDonald's
- DC Comics
- Burger King
Locations
- Japan
- Paris
- France
- United States