McDonald’s is undergoing a temporary transformation, abandoning its iconic golden arches, known globally as the ‘M’ branding, and embracing a manga-inspired look, temporarily renaming itself as “WcDonald’s.” This playful makeover pays homage to the fictional WcDonald’s chain deeply rooted in anime culture since its debut in the 1980s. The altered branding, spanning over 30 global markets until March 18, includes anime-themed packaging crafted by Acky Bright and introduces a special Savory Chili WcDonald’s Sauce.

The collaboration between McDonald’s and Studio Pierrot extends to the production of four official WcDonald’s anime shorts. The first short, “The Race to WcDonald’s,” debuted on February 26, with subsequent releases scheduled for March 4, March 11, and March 18. Access to the anime shorts is available through WcDonalds.com or via the code on WcDonald’s packaging.

To offer enthusiasts a more immersive experience, McDonald’s is launching the WcDonald’s Immersive Dining Experience in Los Angeles from March 9 to 10. Described as a “multi-sensory dining experience” with a fusion of entertainment and food, it draws inspiration from the four WcDonald’s anime episodic shorts. Guests will be transported into the WcDonald’s universe through 360 projection mapping and immersive tabletop projections, all while enjoying a set menu of WcDonald’s items.

Tariq Hassan, McDonald’s USA Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, expressed excitement about this collaboration, acknowledging the significant role of anime in contemporary culture. The WcDonald’s transformation is a celebration of fan-created content, honoring their vision and creativity while bringing it authentically to life in McDonald’s restaurants.