Pokémon Asia McDonald's Happy Meal Toys - "Expedition Series", Selections

It seems it hasn't been too long since the last time I obtained Pokémon fast food toys, and now there's another set of them. Remarkably, the toys this time are from a chain with which I'm acquainted well, especially since covering a full set of toys the first time on this blog. As with the past few times with fast food toys, though, I can only manage a selection of the toys due to various limitations, including that of current conditions. But that's better than nothing, and it also means another post on this blog for those who keep up with me.

Ignore the dates - those are for a different area.

So, this current set of toys is what could be called the "adventure" or "expedition" series. In addition to bearing the label of toys, some of these are useful trinkets for a possible "adventure" or "expedition". The Compass is to find one's way, the Digging Tools are to unearth things, and the Whistle is to call attention to oneself or others, as examples of what these toys can do. This time, the toys also feature only a single Pokémon species - Pikachu - so there's no concern of missing out on other species. In my local area, these toys come in two waves: the top four for one week from April 23, and then the bottom four for one week from April 30. Now with the toys fading into rarity and having been fortunate to obtain two of them, it's a good time to review them.

Of the eight toys, I obtained the Periscope and Camping Lamp Cup. The Periscope is reminiscent of tree trunks, though the green sections do recall an object of tubular nature that isn't related to Pokémon so much as it is related to something else very different. It is nevertheless a working periscope that can also be rearranged, not necessarily in the same arrangement as depicted above. The Camping Lamp Cup is also as expected: it can function as a lamp - more likely, a lantern with a light source carefully positioned under it - or as a cup that one can drink liquids out of. These are still part of my collection, though, so it might be a little too precious for their intended functions, and they'll have to stay as pristine as possible.

The lamp, the cup, and the periscope in an alternative arrangement.

This "adventure" or "expedition" series is extremely neat. A few of these objects live up to their intended functions and are useful in that regard. They are still toys, but they're also more than toys in some sense. I don't foresee going out on an adventure or expedition any time soon, much less with actual usage of what I got, but getting these toys-and-trinkets is already an adventure in itself, and that also continues the adventure of me scouting out Pokémon things for myself and the world.

One year ago: Hanging by a Cliff

Two years ago: Folding Paper for Pokémon

Three years ago: Pokémon in Poké Balls Stickers

Four years ago: Cosplay: J-COSHOKAI 2 - Utsukushii Hana