For a brief moment in 2002, a Happy Meal in Japan came with the chance to add something far more lasting than a plastic toy: a sealed Minimum Pack of Pokémon cards produced exclusively for McDonald’s. More than two decades later, those cards have grown into one of the most quietly coveted promotional sets in the franchise’s history, and the holographic Squirtle numbered 007/018 sits near the top of every collector’s want list. The appeal is easy to understand once the card is in hand. The starter Pokémon framing, the fast-food exclusivity, and the shimmer of a genuine holo finish combine into something that feels both childlike and surprisingly refined, with Asuka Iwashita’s artwork capturing Squirtle in an expression that has aged better than most cards from the era. What follows is a straightforward breakdown aimed at readers who want to understand exactly what this card is, where it came from, and why it carries the weight it does on the secondary market today. Expect clear notes on the card’s stats, attacks, weakness and retreat cost, the structure of the 18-card Minimum Pack set it belongs to, and the unusual distribution method that kept it out of regular booster channels. Related promotional releases from the same period are also worth knowing about, since they shape how condition, authenticity and pricing are judged whenever a 2002 McDonald’s Squirtle surfaces in a listing or display case.
“Did you know there was a time when you could buy Pokémon cards at McDonald’s?”
Back in 2002, a special limited pack existed—available only to Happy Set customers as an add-on purchase—and today it’s sought after worldwide as a piece of pure nostalgia.
This time, we’re featuring one of the most popular cards from that lineup: the holographic Squirtle (007/018).
The combination of Starter Pokémon × McDonald’s exclusive × Holo is powerful enough to grab your heart the moment you see it.
In this article, we’ll cover the card’s basic info, the background of the McDonald’s limited “Minimum Pack,” and related promos in a clear, beginner-friendly way.
Product Details
Card Name & Number
Card Name: Squirtle (ゼニガメ / Squirtle)
Card Number: 007/018
Set / Included In: McDonald’s Original Minimum Pack 2002 (18-card set)
Finish: Holo (Holographic)
Attacks / Performance
HP: 50 (standard durability for a Basic Pokémon at the time)
Type: Water
Evolution Line: Blastoise line (Wartortle → Blastoise)
Attack 1 “Thunder”: 20 damage with 1 Colorless Energy (a quick, electric-style strike)
Attack 2 “Water Gun”: 10 damage with 1 Water Energy (a stable Water-type attack)
Weakness: Grass (×2)
Retreat Cost: 1
Illustrator
Asuka Iwashita
The cute expression on Squirtle combined with the sparkling holo background creates an irresistible appeal—“a beginner card you still want to display.”
How to Obtain the Card
This card wasn’t distributed through standard retail booster packs. Instead, it was obtained through a limited pack sold at McDonald’s in Japan in 2002.
About McDonald’s Minimum Pack 2002
Source: Yahoo! Flea Market
How It Was Sold
McDonald’s Original Minimum Pack 2002 was a beginner-friendly special pack tied to the Pokémon Card e-series, sold exclusively at McDonald’s in Japan from January 26 to February 24, 2002.
Happy Set buyers could purchase one 6-card pack for an additional 180 yen (before tax). Each pack included:
3 Pokémon cards (including 1 holographic card)
3 Basic Energy cards (including 1 holo Energy)
Paper damage counters & a coin
In other words, it was a surprisingly “premium beginner set” for the time.
Included Cards (All 18 Types)
001/018 Bulbasaur
002/018 Oddish
003/018 Chikorita (Holo)
Source: Mercari
- 004/018 Charmander (Holo)
Source: Mercari
005/018 Vulpix
006/018 Cyndaquil
007/018 Squirtle (Holo)
Source: Mercari
008/018 Totodile
009/018 Marill
010/018 Pikachu (Holo)
Source: Mercari
011/018 Chinchou
012/018 Mareep
013/018 Abra
014/018 Slowpoke (Holo)
Source: Mercari
015/018 Natu
016/018 Phanpy
017/018 Sandshrew
018/018 Larvitar
McDonald’s × Pokémon Trading Card Game Collaboration
Source:X
Major Campaign List
Jan–Feb 2002: Minimum Pack (18 types, including Squirtle 007/018, etc.)
Source: Yahoo! Flea Market
May–Jun 2002: 2nd Promo Wave (9 types including Hoppip 029/P, etc.)
Source: Yahoo! Flea Market
Jan–Feb 2003: ADV-P Series Promos (5 types)
Source: Mercari
- Jan–Feb 2004: 4th Promo Wave (5 types)
Source: Mercari
Jan–Feb 2005: PCG Promos (5 types)
Source: Mercari
Jul 2005: Summer Promos (10 types, split into two periods)
Feb 2006: EX Promos (10 types)
Source: Mercari
May 2007: DP Promos (7 types)
Source: Yahoo! Flea Market
Jul 2012: BW Meloetta Promo
Source: Mercari
- Aug 2025: Happy Set with Pikachu promo (made headlines due to resale issues)
Source: Mercari
Major McDonald’s-Related Pokémon Cards
Pikachu 010/018 (Holo)
Source: Mercari
This is the holo Pikachu from the 2002 McDonald’s Minimum Pack, featuring a simple, beginner-friendly attack. Its rarity and “icon of the original generation” status make it extremely popular among collectors, and it often becomes a hot topic in the graded market as well. The sparkle of the holo pattern and the nostalgic design strongly highlight the “McDonald’s exclusive” appeal.
Squirtle 007/018 (Holo)
This holo Squirtle is one of the signature cards of the Minimum Pack series. While its performance is designed for beginners and focuses on clarity rather than flashiness, the real value comes from the combination of McDonald’s exclusive × Starter Pokémon × Holo. The adorable, floating-like artwork and the shimmering holo background make it deeply satisfying to own in person.
Charmander 004/018 (Holo)
Source: Mercari
A holo Charmander from the Starter trio, and a “main character” alongside Squirtle within the Minimum Pack. Its limited distribution background creates strong demand even as a single card, while many collectors also want it as part of a Starter set. The energetic, Fire-type expression and holo effect remain beloved even more than 20 years later.
Umbreon 029/P
Source: Yahoo! Flea Market
Known as a McDonald’s promo from the 2nd wave in 2002, this card is especially easy to draw attention thanks to Umbreon’s enduring popularity. Promos were available only for limited periods, so higher-condition copies tend to become scarcer over time. The moonlit atmosphere of the illustration is a major point that resonates strongly with collectors.
Pikachu 020/M-P
Source:Amazon
A more recent McDonald’s Happy Set promo from August 2025, featuring “Thunder Punch” and a cute modern-style illustration. As a modern promo, it quickly gained attention, becoming a symbol of McDonald’s-related Pikachu demand.
Illustrator: Asuka Iwashita
Asuka Iwashita also worked on Pokémon character design during the 3rd generation era (roughly 1999–2009).
Specific Achievements
- Graphic Designer credits: Listed under “Pokémon Design” / “Graphic Designers” for Pokémon Gold/Silver, Crystal, Ruby/Sapphire, FireRed/LeafGreen, and Emerald
Source:Amazon
Pokémon Design: Responsible for concept designs of multiple 3rd-gen Pokémon (specific Pokémon names are often not publicly disclosed)
GameCube titles: Credited under “Pokémon Characters Designed by” for Pokémon Colosseum and XD: Gale of Darkness
Source:Amazon
Remake titles: Also credited for Pokémon Design in HeartGold/SoulSilver
Source: YouTube
Beyond card illustrations, she contributed across the franchise—Pokémon in-game sprites and artwork, and even original character design work connected to animated films—making her a key creator who supported the Pokémon brand during the 3rd generation era.
Specific Card List
Sabrina’s Espeon
Source: Mercari
Sabrina’s ace Pokémon—an elegant Psychic-type with striking purple eyes.
Sabrina’s Xatu
Source: Mercari
A Japan-exclusive Psychic-type card from the VS series, featuring a mystical expression wrapped in Sabrina’s psychic aura.
Quilava
Source: Mercari
She also illustrated a Quilava card in a warm, gentle style, making it a charming piece you can’t help but feel soothed by just looking at it.
Sabrina-related cards in particular are prized by collectors as rare Japan-only VS series items, and they continue to be traded at high prices today.
Summary
Squirtle (007/018) from McDonald’s Minimum Pack 2002 is a true relic of an era—“a Pokémon card you could buy at McDonald’s.” With the straightforward appeal of being a holo Starter Pokémon, it’s the kind of card you’ll want to collect both as a single piece and as part of a full set. Since holo cards are heavily influenced by condition, finding a clean copy can be especially satisfying. And because it’s part of an 18-card set, it naturally fuels the collector’s urge to complete the lineup. If you have a well-preserved copy in front of you, it may be a collector-grade opportunity you won’t easily encounter again.
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Pokémon Trading Card Squirtle 007/018
Minimum Pack 2002 Hobby Limited McDonald’s
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All items shipped directly from Japan. Condition and availability may vary.
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