McDonald’s horrifies Twitter with new Happy Meal mascot

Happy is an anthropomorphic, computer animated Happy Meal box with a mouth and eyes. The reaction to its U.S. unveiling was anything but happy.

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Say hello to our newest friend, Happy! http://t.co/CuR3hU8Chj #HappyMeal pic.twitter.com/xgluLaHfcY

— McDonald’s (@McDonalds) May 19, 2014

Here’s Happy in action: Happy isn’t a totally new character. He was originally introduced in France in 2009 and has made his way to other countries in Europe and Latin America since then. According to McDonald’s, he’s been well received so in those countries. “Together, Happy and Go-GURT Low-Fat Strawberry Yogurt give kids and parents something to look forward to during their next trip to McDonald’s,” Julie Wenger, senior director of U.S. marketing for McDonald’s, said in a press release. If the Twitter reaction to Happy’s unveiling to a U.S. audience is to be believed, however, diners won’t be looking forward to seeing the mascot at all. They’re going to have nightmares about him.

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