Legendary animation house, Toei Animation, recently confirmed that the 2024 edition of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature an all-new balloon, revealing it to be yet another iteration of the iconic anime character, Goku, from Dragon Ball. As a frequently reoccurring figure in previous iterations of the parade, Goku is no stranger to floating above the streets of New York City on Thanksgiving Day. The difference this time, however, is found in his clothing and his pose, both of which will be distinctive from past appearances.
This next Goku balloon will don his emblematic orange gi with the contrast of blue accents, an attire that longtime fans of the Dragon Ball series will quickly recognize. Additional to what the character will wear, Toei Animation also disclosed that Goku’s signature Kanji symbol will be prominently featured. As for the design’s pose, the company shared that Goku will be offering a salute to those attending the parade, a peaceful display unlike some of his more combative stances seen in earlier years.
Although Goku is best known for his ability to morph into more powerful forms, namely the Super Saiyan stages, attendees will observe him in his most baseline state for the 2024 parade. In recent years, attendees could witness Goku in his Super Saiyan Blue form, a remarkable avatar that stands out in memory. However, Toei Animation seems to have chosen to revisit the roots of the character in the upcoming parade, portraying him in his original form.
Looking back at history, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has hosted a Goku balloon variant from Dragon Ball Super as recently as 2023. Impressively, Goku also made a notable presence in the 2021 edition of the parade, further establishing his status as a regular at this grand celebration. As the official event site has yet to be updated, the announcement of the Goku balloon stands as the first confirmation of an anime character making an appearance in the coming 2024 parade.
In the 2023 version of the parade, Toei Animation surprised fans by introducing a One Piece balloon featuring Monkey D. Luffy showing off his powerful Gum-Gum Pistol move. There’s also a tradition of featuring different Pokemon, with Pikachu being a consistent participant each year. With such precedents set, we can only speculate on the possible additions to the anime and video game corner of the parade in 2024.
The 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is slated to take place on November 28, 2024, and you won’t want to miss it. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be streamed on significant platforms including Peacock, allowing viewers from all over the world to experience the magic of the parade. Fellow Dragon Ball fans can rejoice as Toei Animation continues to stream the series on Crunchyroll, debuting Dragon Ball Daima in October 2024 to tremendous anticipation. Outside of Japan, Viz Media accommodates Dragon Ball fans by providing access to the manga series.
Feeling the excitement yet? The day when we see Goku floating over the skyscrapers of New York City once again isn’t far off. Whether you’re an avid Dragon Ball fan or a casual admirer of parades, the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade promises a sight to behold.
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