For one reason or another, Pokemon cards have absolutely exploded in popularity lately. These range from YouTubers and Twitch streamers buying old booster boxes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, to stores rapidly losing their stock of trading cards thanks to scalpers. That last one has led The Pokemon Company to issue a statement promising fans that it will print more cards in light of recent high demand.

Apart from this, 2021 marks the 25th anniversary of Pokemon, calling for some well-deserved celebrations, and anyone in the loop may know that McDonald's has been holding a Happy Meal promotion featuring special 25th anniversary Pokemon cards. Of course, many individuals began to scalp these special trading cards as well, from buying Happy Meals in bulk, to buying cases of the cards posted by McDonald's employees online for upwards of $1000. However, after much outspoken distress from fans and families everywhere, McDonald's has finally issued a statement on the situation.

RELATED: The Pokemon Company Hosting Virtual Post Malone Concert for Pokemon Day

In its statement issued just yesterday, the fast-food restaurant chain expressed joy in seeing fans' "passion for our limited-time Happy Meal promotion." McDonald's noted that in light of the high demand for the celebratory Pokemon cards, it is both working on addressing the Happy Meal promotion's shortages at restaurants everywhere, as well as "strongly encouraging restaurants to set a reasonable limit on Happy Meals per customer."

Concluding their statement, the fast-food chain reiterated that it wants nothing more than to offer the Happy Meal experience to families everywhere, and to "help ensure everyone is able to get in on the fun!" In addition to this statement, McDonald's has also gone on-record saying that its Pokemon card Happy Meal toys should only be distributed as mandated by employees, and not sold separately to customers in any way. Unfortunately, a huge reselling market for bulk boxes of the Pokemon cards has already developed on sites like eBay.

If fans are lucky enough to find them, the special Pokemon 25th anniversary Happy Meals at McDonald's each include a mini-booster pack containing 4 Pokemon cards based on every starter Pokemon and Pikachu, as well as either sticker sheets, a makeshift deck-box, or an assortment of mini picture frames. Now, the most popular card from the promotion, a holographic Pikachu, is going for upwards of $100 online just by itself.

The new Happy Meal promotion has gone viral, with fans celebrating being able to nab the special Pokemon cards all over social media. Though this seems to just be the start of Pokemon's 25th anniversary celebrations, they are already shaping up to be quite eventful.

MORE: Pokemon Announcements Coming During 25th Anniversary Celebrations