McDonald’s US Officially Confirms One Piece x SpongeBob Happy Meal Release Date
McDonald’s US has officially confirmed the start date for one of its most unexpected pop-culture crossovers of the year, which combines two very different seafaring worlds for a new Happy Meal campaign this month.
The new One Piece and SpongeBob SquarePants collaboration brings together two of pop culture’s most iconic franchises for a limited time this September, offering fans the chance to pick up exclusive toys when ordering their meals.
The launch of this latest Happy Meal collab will be a sad occasion for some, as it will see the current Hello Kitty and Friends x Godzilla promotion end.
One Piece follows Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they travel the Grand Line in search of the legendary treasure that gives the series its name, while SpongeBob SquarePants has spent more than two decades chronicling the considerably stranger everyday adventures of Bikini Bottom.
The crossover leans fully into the shared ocean theme, with its main artwork transforming SpongeBob into Luffy, complete with the Straw Hat captain’s red vest and famous hat.
SpongeBob stretches his arms forward in a clear reference to Luffy’s rubber powers while sailing aboard a new version of the Thousand Sunny that incorporates familiar Bikini Bottom details, such as SpongeBob’s pineapple home.
Even the Happy Meal box gets pulled into the artwork, appearing on the central sail in place of the usual Straw Hat Pirates skull.
The toy lineup was leaked back in August, showing each character emerging from a colorful treasure chest-style base, with illustrations and molded details across the front referencing both halves of the crossover.
SpongeBob x Luffy places the endlessly optimistic Bikini Bottom resident in Luffy’s signature straw hat and red vest, raising an enlarged fist above a yellow chest decorated with the Straw Hat emblem.
A second SpongeBob toy is based on Gear 5 Luffy, replacing his familiar outfit with white clothing, cloud-like hair, and a huge raised fist inspired by the pirate captain’s awakened transformation.
Patrick x Zoro gives SpongeBob’s best friend the appearance of the Straw Hat crew’s swordsman, making it one of the collection’s most natural pairings thanks to Patrick and Zoro’s shared talent for becoming completely lost.
Sandy x Nami combines Bikini Bottom’s adventurous squirrel with the Straw Hats’ navigator, recreating Nami’s orange hair while surrounding the character with colorful details inspired by both series.
Squidward x Sanji dresses Squidward in the cook’s black suit and sweeping blond hairstyle, with his raised leg recreating the powerful kicking style Sanji uses instead of fighting with his hands.
Gary x Chopper places SpongeBob’s pet snail beneath Chopper’s oversized blue-and-pink hat, blending two of the smallest and most recognizable members of their respective casts.
Larry x Franky turns Bikini Bottom’s muscular lobster into the Straw Hats’ equally muscular shipwright, complete with enormous blue mechanical forearms and a characteristically confident pose.
Pearl x Robin gives Mr Krabs’ daughter Robin’s long black hair and stylish outfit, with an open book and additional hands appearing across the front of the yellow treasure chest base.
Mr Krabs x Jinbe combines the Krusty Krab owner with the Straw Hat crew’s helmsman, adding Jinbe’s distinctive hair, clothing and sun emblem to the character while keeping Mr Krabs’ oversized claws intact.
Plankton x Usopp dresses the tiny Chum Bucket owner in Usopp’s hat and goggles, with his oversized 10-ton hammer creating one of the collection’s funniest character mashups.
Mrs Puff x Linlin transforms SpongeBob’s frequently stressed boating instructor into Charlotte Linlin, better known as Big Mom, recreating the former Emperor’s pirate hat, pink hair and brightly colored outfit.
The Flying Dutchman x Teach combines SpongeBob’s recurring ghost pirate with Marshall D Teach, better known as Blackbeard, giving the green specter the Emperor’s hat, beard and raised-fist pose.
The collection is rounded out by Barnacle Boy as Koby, Smitty Werbenjägermanjensen as Brook and Mermaid Man as Monkey D. Garp.
Outside of the US, the collaboration’s confirmed territories span North and South America, Europe, Asia and Oceania, including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, the UK’s neighboring European markets, China, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia.
Japan is one major exception, with an announcement from the official One Piece X account specifically stating that there are currently no plans to release the collaboration there.
The One Piece x SpongeBob SquarePants McDonald’s Happy Meal collaboration begins rolling out in the US on September 15, 2026, with toy availability potentially differing between stores.
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