Mister Donut Teases Pokémon Donuts Return, Plus New Sweet Potato and Chestnut Flavors

Mister Donut is bringing back its fan-favorite Pokémon-themed donuts this fall, alongside a fresh lineup of sweet potato and chestnut-flavored treats. The popular chain aims to captivate customers with its seasonal offerings, which will be available from late August through October, depending on supply.

Mister Donut Stays Ahead with New Sweet Potato Treats and the Return of Pokémon Donuts

In a country as passionate about food as Japan, rising to the top of any market segment demands staying ahead of the competition. In the fiercely competitive desserts and sweets sector, more than one step ahead may be needed to maintain the lead, which explains why Mister Donut strives to stay two steps ahead.

Even before the end of August, Mister Donut launched its new line of sweet potato donuts to anticipate seasonal cravings. Sweet potatoes are a beloved autumn ingredient among Japanese confectioners. However, just a day after the release of these autumn treats, Mister Donut surprised its fans with yet another exciting offering: the highly anticipated new Pokémon-themed donuts.

The anticipation for the new Pokémon-themed products is palpable. Pokémon donuts have become an annual tradition at Mister Donut, typically debuting in late fall or early December. According to SoraNews24, this year marks the seventh collaboration between the two brands, with the chain confirming that a series of Pokémon-themed sweets and exclusive merchandise will be released sequentially, beginning in the first half of November.

After overcoming a lukewarm reception, the Pikachu donut, a fan favorite, will return this year, sparking a wave of nostalgia and delight among fans. In addition to Pikachu, each year’s lineup introduces at least one new Pokémon donut, with previous years featuring characters like Psyduck in 2023 and Jigglypuff in 2022.

While Mister Donut has yet to reveal which Pokémon will join Pikachu this year, the anticipation and excitement are building up as the release date approaches.

Mister Donut Perfects Sweet Potato Donuts for Fall, Adding a New Flavor to Celebrate Shokuyoku no Aki

Last week's report, Autumn is a season that food enthusiasts in Japan eagerly anticipate. Known as Shokuyoku no Aki, or “Appetite Autumn,” this time of year is celebrated for offering the most flavorful produce, fish, rice, and even certain types of sake. Among the season's delights, seasonal sweets hold a special place in the hearts of many, which is why Mister Donut, Japan’s beloved donut chain, introduces a limited-time lineup of sweet potato donuts each fall. The chain is adding a new fall flavor to its offerings this year.

This marks the sixth year that Mister Donut has crafted its sweet potato, or satsuma, in donuts, yet the brand continues to refine its recipes. The Satsuma Imo-do lineup features donuts made with dough that includes a mix of the extra-sweet Beni Haruka and Anno Imo sweet potato varieties. This year, Mister Donut has fine-tuned the ratio between the two, aiming to achieve a texture that is not only moist but also slightly sticky, reminiscent of biting into a fresh sweet potato.

Mister Donut Unveils Sweet Potato and Chestnut Donuts, Blending Classic Flavors with Creative Twists

The most straightforward collection is the Satsuma Imo-do Torori Mitsu Imo Mitsu, priced at 172 yen (US$1.15). This donut is coated in a sweet potato glaze and offers a concentrated sweet potato flavor experience. For those seeking something with a bit more complexity, the Satsuma Imo-do Salty Butter Cream, priced at 194 yen, features a subtle crunch from salt and a crisper texture from the sugar-coated fried sweet potato pieces, known as imo kenpi, sprinkled atop the cream ring. Completing the trio is the Satsuma Imo-do Fragrant Brulee, also priced at 194 yen, which combines the pleasures of donuts, sweet potatoes, and crème brûlée with its caramelized sugar topping.

Recognizing that sweet potatoes are not the only autumn flavor beloved in Japan, Mister Donut is introducing chestnut donuts this year. The new Kuri-do series, named after the Japanese word for chestnut, includes two distinct offerings. The Kuri-do Waguri Whip, or Kuri-do Japanese Chestnut Whipped Cream, priced at 237 yen, features a chestnut-flavored glaze, golden chocolate sprinkles, and a whipped cream filling blended with chestnuts from Kumamoto Prefecture. The second offering, the Kuri-do Angel and Waguri An, also priced at 237 yen, is adorned with chestnut-flavored chocolate flakes and filled with Kumamoto chestnuts, whipped cream, and sweet bean paste (anko).

Although these donuts are part of Mister Donut’s fall menu, the sweet potato and chestnut donuts will be available starting August 28. Depending on availability, sales are expected to continue until late October.