This week, McDonald's is taking a playful turn by dressing up its famous brand. Starting Monday, February 26, McDonald's stores in over 30 countries worldwide have turned their well-known golden "M" logo upside down.
Now, it reads as "WcDonald's" - a fun twist inspired by the world of anime. This change pays tribute to a make-believe fast food restaurant that often appears in anime series and films.
McDonald's Pays Tribute to Anime with WcDonald's Transformation
McDonald's is embracing the world of anime in a big way. Many might not know, but a fictional restaurant called WcDonald's has been popping up in anime movies and TV shows for decades. This playful nod to the actual McDonald's started in 1983 with an episode of "Cat's Eye."
Since then, WcDonald's has made appearances in a wide variety of anime, including "Sally the Witch," "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie," "InuYasha," and many others.
This exciting twist on the McDonald's name isn't just for show. It's part of a unique partnership with some of the most influential creators in the anime industry. For a short time, the idea behind turning McDonald's into WcDonald's is to celebrate this unique connection between the fast-food giant and the anime world.
Tariq Hassan, McDonald's USA's Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, shared his excitement about this collaboration. "Anime has become a significant part of today's culture, and we're thrilled to be a topic of discussion among fans for years," he said.
McDonald's decision to adopt the WcDonald's name is a way to honor and celebrate the creativity of anime fans. "The WcDonald's universe reflects the imagination of the fans. This initiative is our way of showing appreciation for their creativity and bringing it to life in our restaurants in a way that's never been done before," Hassan added.
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McDonald's Unveils New Anime-Inspired Sauce and Manga Packaging
McDonald's enters an animated universe with a brand-new Savory Chili WcDonald's Sauce. This special sauce, available for a short period, is a tasty blend of ginger, garlic, soy, and a hint of chili flakes for some warmth.
The fast-food giant suggests enjoying this sauce with their 10-piece "WcNuggets" (also known as Chicken McNuggets) or any other favorite snack perfect for dipping.
Embracing Manga Culture with Unique Packaging and Art''
In an exciting move, McDonald's has partnered with Acky Bright, a renowned Japanese manga artist who has previously collaborated with big names like DC Comics and Warner Brothers. Bright has crafted exclusive WcDonald's packaging that draws inspiration from manga, featuring the WcDonald's Crew characters. This special packaging is available to customers for a limited time only.
Moreover, McDonald's is inviting customers to dive deeper into the animated world by scanning a code on the packaging. This scan leads to weekly digital manga releases, showcasing stories of WcDonald's Customers and Crew.
Among the featured characters are Hashirune, a loyal WcDonald's customer, and Mr. Bev, the Crew's resident comedian, along with many others, bringing the vibrant WcDonald's universe to life.
In a recent McDonald's press release, Acky shared his excitement about collaborating with the fast-food giant. "Working with McDonald's to bring the WcDonald's concept to life for manga enthusiasts has been a fantastic experience. I thoroughly enjoyed creating the detailed characters and storylines, infusing my art with the lively and dynamic essence of WcDonald's to share with fans globally," Acky said.
To add an extra layer of animation magic, McDonald's has joined forces with the renowned Studio Pierrot, the creators behind the famous Naruto anime series. This collaboration aims to animate the WcDonald's universe, bringing Acky Bright's illustrations and the world of WcDonald's to life through weekly animated shorts.
This initiative bridges the gap between fast food and manga culture, offering fans a unique blend of dining and entertainment.
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