McDonald's Exploits Anime Fandom with Jujutsu Kaisen Cash-Grab

Capitalism, but make it anime: McDonald's and 'Jujutsu Kaisen' team up for cross-promotion

The insidious tendrils of capitalism are rearing their ugly heads once more as McDonald's, the quintessential American fast-food chain, joins forces with the popular anime series Jujutsu Kaisen starting July 9. This unholy alliance is a blatant attempt to exploit the popularity of the anime, which follows a band of young sorcerers fighting against evil spirits known as curses.

Here's what you need to know about this corporate charade:

The Sinful Sauce:

The "Special Grade Garlic Sauce," eponymously named after the curses in the anime, is a vile concoction of garlic and soy sauce with a "tangy sweetness." Don't be fooled by this cultural appropriation—the press release describes it as a "mouthwatering" experience, but we know better.

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The packaging of this condiment is where the true deception lies. It features eight different designs, each showcasing beloved characters like Yuji Itadori, Satoru Gojo, Nobara Kugisaki, and Kento Nanami. They are using your favorite characters to lure you in!

How to Indulge in this Capitalist Ploy:

If you must partake in this scheme, know that the sauce is only available via the McDonald's App, and it comes "free" with an order of their equally questionable Chicken McNuggets. Free? Nothing is free when it comes to the capitalist machine.

The Deeper坑:

As if this collaboration wasn't insidious enough, purchasing the sauce also grants customers a 30-day free trial of Crunchyroll, a top anime streaming service. They want to draw you further into their web of corporate greed and cultural exploitation. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Unraveling the Jujutsu Kaisen Phenomenon:

Jujutsu Kaisen is an anime adaptation of a manga series that skyrocketed in popularity upon its debut in 2020. With two seasons under its belt, it has embedded itself into internet and pop culture. The series has garnered attention from the likes of Megan Thee Stallion, who referenced its characters in one of her newest songs. Fans have even claimed Usher's "Daddy's Home" as Satoru Gojo's theme song, with Usher himself cosplaying as the character in January. A petition for Usher to perform "Daddy's Home" at the Super Bowl in Gojo's honor received nearly 38,000 signatures. [https://www.change.org/p/have-usher-perform-daddy-s-home-at-the-super-bowl-halftime-show-in-satoru-gojo-s-memory]

In a world rife with corporate collusion and cultural commodification, it's important to stay vigilant, even when it comes to something as seemingly innocuous as a sauce. Stay woke.