McDonald’s Japan Drops “Fries” Song by Viral Vocaloid Producer Kanaria

McDonald’s Japan has once again tapped into pop culture by teaming up with renowned Vocaloid producer Kanaria, known for hits like “King,” “Envy Baby,” and “Queen.” This time, Kanaria has reimagined his viral track “King” as a catchy tribute to McDonald’s fries, playfully titled “Fries.” Released via a tweet on McDonald’s Japan’s official X account on Nov 10, 2024, this fresh take celebrates the craving for something extra, with lyrics centered around someone who turns to McDonald’s fries when a burger alone just isn’t enough.

マクドナルドの圧倒的王者はやっぱりポテト？！フィナーレはKanariaさん”KING”あらため”ポテト”です！#ポテト250円フェスやってるよ pic.twitter.com/V33StzqtuH

— マクドナルド (@McDonaldsJapan) November 10, 2024

The original song, “King,” has achieved widespread popularity, inspiring covers by popular VTubers, especially Hololive talents like Hoshimachi Suisei, Gawr Gura, and Mori Calliope.

McDonald’s Japan isn’t a stranger to creating ad campaigns that resonate deeply with both Japanese and international audiences. Past collaborations with big names like Studio Ghibli and the Gundam franchise have proven their marketing team’s expertise in connecting with fans in unique, memorable ways. Even Western fans are often intrigued by the imaginative campaigns coming out of McDonald’s Japan. The following tweet by @HikamiRyuji on X is just one example of the many positive reactions these efforts continue to inspire, in response to the viral ad campaign.

I have no idea who is the head of the japanese advertisement department for McDonald’s but whoever that person may be, they are incredibly good at their job lmao https://t.co/11EamOqZjK

— 氷上竜二Hikami Ryuji 🐉🧊 Ice Dragon Vtuber (@HikamiRyuji) November 11, 2024

The “Fries” song ties into McDonald’s Japan’s ongoing fries promotion, offering medium or large fries for just 250 JPY (around $1.65) until November 22, 2024. Since its release, the song has already amassed over 13.1 million views, 200,000 likes and 50,000 retweets, showcasing its widespread appeal. This campaign is a clever move that not only appeals to Vocaloid fans but also underscores McDonald’s ability to craft engaging, cross-cultural campaigns that grab attention beyond their intended Japanese consumers.

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