Monkey D. Luffy’s larger-than-life balloon made its frist public appearance in full at this year’s Balloonfest. The balloon will take center stage in the highly celebrated 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This exciting event puts Monkey D.Luffy in the esteemed company of iconic characters such as Pikachu and Goku, who have previously showcased as giant balloons floating above the streets of New York City.
With its impressive dimensions of 43-feet in length (or 6 bicycles), 39-feet in width (or 6 taxi cabs), and 50-feet in height (or 5 story building), featuring over 20 different painted colors. Monkey D. Luffy will undoubtedly capture everyone’s attention as he embarks on his first-ever flight from Central Park West to Herald Square, where Macy’s iconic flagship store is located. Accompanied by his dedicated pirate crew, who have been appointed as honorary Straw Hats for a day. Luffy’s journey will be met with enthusiastic cheers from the countless of One Piece fans along the Parade route, as well as the millions of viewers watching from the comfort of their homes.
“We’re thrilled to have the celebrated anime franchise One Piece join the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with our Monkey D. Luffy giant character balloon,” said Masayuki Endo, President and CEO of Toei Animation Inc. “Over the past 24 years, One Piece has built a huge global audience and today, the franchise is now more popular than ever before — both in the U.S. and around the world. We’re excited to introduce One Piece to the tens of millions of people that watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade every year – especially the friends and families of current One Piece fans!”
“Our balloon lineup includes some of the most iconic characters from around the world and spans all genres of entertainment, including anime, which continues to captivate our audience. We’re excited to welcome such a beloved fan-favorite to the Parade this year,” said Jordan Dabby, producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “For decades, Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates have delighted fans of all ages, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to see him sail the skies of New York City this Thanksgiving.”
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has always been a cherished tradition for millions of spectators, who eagerly line the streets to catch a glimpse of their favorite characters brought to life in the form of massive balloons. Luffy’s inclusion in the lineup is a testament to the series massive fan base and the enduring popularity of the One Piece franchise.
The One Piece anime is produced by Toei Animation and based on the top-selling manga by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is a popular TV series. It first debuted in Japan in October 1999 and follows Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat crew in their quest to find the legendary treasure called “One Piece.” Over the past 24 years, the franchise has expanded to include 15 movies, home videos, video games, and a wide range of merchandise like accessories, toys, and apparel. One Piece will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2024, we can’t wait to see what Toei Animation has in store.
The 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be broadcast nationwide in the U.S. on NBC and can be streamed on Peacock. It will take place on Thursday, November 23, 2023, from 9 a.m. to noon in all time zones. Visit macys.com/parade for more information. Join the excitement by following @macys on social platforms and using the hashtag #MacysParade. Follow Toei Animation on social media using #ThanksLuffy for the latest news and updates leading up to Parade day.
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