The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is just around the corner, offering an annual spectacle of pop culture for viewers. The 2023 festivities will feature several new balloons, including one representing the beloved anime and manga series, One Piece. Macy’s recently unveiled a sneak peek at the official Monkey D. Luffy balloon, set to make its debut.
READ: Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio Team Up in Epic New Film!
“We’re excited to welcome the acclaimed anime franchise One Piece to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with our giant character balloon, Monkey D. Luffy,” expressed Masayuki Endo, President and CEO of Toei Animation Inc. “Over the past 24 years, One Piece has garnered a massive global following, reaching new heights of popularity in the U.S. and worldwide. Introducing One Piece to the tens of millions of viewers of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, especially the friends and families of current One Piece fans, is a thrilling prospect!”
The Macy’s
The Luffy balloon for Macy’s Parade is a colossal creation, measuring an impressive 43 feet in length, 39 feet in width, and standing at a towering height of 50 feet. As it makes its inaugural flight from Central Park West to Herald Square, the route to Macy’s flagship store, Luffy will be accompanied by a dedicated crew of honorary Straw Hats, marching to the cheers of millions of spectators along the Parade route and those watching from home.
“Our balloon lineup features iconic characters from diverse corners of the world and entertainment genres, including anime, which continues to captivate our audience. Welcoming such a beloved fan-favorite like Monkey D. Luffy to the Parade this year is incredibly exciting,” remarked Jordan Dabby, producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “For decades, Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates have brought joy to fans of all ages, and we can’t wait to see him soar through the skies of New York City this Thanksgiving.”
In other One Piece news, the franchise recently ventured into a new medium with a well-received live-action series on Netflix. Following its success, Netflix confirmed the renewal of One Piece for a second season, with details about its release yet to be disclosed.
The narrative of One Piece revolves around Monkey D. Luffy, who, as a child, aspired to become a pirate after hearing the tales of the buccaneer “Red-Haired” Shanks. However, Luffy’s life takes a turn when he accidentally consumes the Gum-Gum Devil Fruit, gaining the ability to stretch like rubber but losing the ability to swim. Undeterred, Luffy sets out on a solo adventure in a rowboat, determined to become the king of the pirates and discover the legendary “One Piece,” said to be the greatest treasure in the world.
