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One Piece fans, Toonami Faithful, and anime fans overall got to commemorate a special milestone for the iconic anime and manga franchise by Eiichiro Oda this Thanksgiving, as Monkey D. Luffy, the protagonist of the hit anime and manga series One Piece, was among the many floats that took to the streets of New York City for the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The float appearance is among the many celebrations Toei Animation has planned as One Piece will be commemorating its 25th anniversary in 2024.
One Piece has had several other special milestones in recent years. Besides being featured at the Thanksgiving Parade, the anime hit its 1000-episode milestone back in November 21, 2021, with the episode’s dub just being released at Anime Expo earlier this year. The show will air Episode 1085 in Japan this Sunday, and has no chance of stopping anytime soon. The most recent film, One Piece Film Red, grossed over $246.5 million, the sixth highest grossing anime film of all time. Just last January, One Piece made its return to Toonami after a four-year hiatus from the lineup, and we’re just about two months away from the two-year anniversary since its return to the better cartoon show. And this past August, Netflix released its own adaptation of the One Piece franchise.
https://twitter.com/OnePieceAnimeUS/status/1727481164166730162
This isn’t the first time that anime has been featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Also featured during the parade was Goku from Dragon Ball Super in his “Super Saiyan Blue” form, whom has been flying in the Thanksgiving Parade since 2018 (the pandemic notwithstanding).
Pokémon is also represented, with Pikachu and Eevee flying on a Pokeball-themed sleigh to commemorate the holiday festivities.
https://twitter.com/Pokemon/status/1727741313708097971
Unfortunately, as Luffy paraded down 34th Street, Luffy’s hat would deflate after it got snagged by a tree branch; the balloon handlers having some trouble controlling the float due to strong winds in the NYC area. @MrAJCosplay representing Anime News Network captured the exact moment the float tore.
https://twitter.com/ann_events/status/1727704726332981403
Luffy wasn’t the only float that had such issues during the parade. Greg Heffley’s float from The Diary of a Wimpy Kid was spotted by attendees with a withered hand, while Snoopy’s hat also deflated.
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The float was still able to fly and would later be showcased on the NBC broadcast, albeit with Luffy’s straw-hat now looking like a bucket hat as a result of the tear and partial deflation. Luffy’s float was accompanied with “We Are” by Hiroshi Kitadani, the original One Piece theme.
Tanooki Joe on Twitter: “They said Luffy’s name right. Must’ve gotten some notes about that. His hat is deflated, but otherwise… not bad. pic.twitter.com/mMtWosBWVK / Twitter”
They said Luffy’s name right. Must’ve gotten some notes about that. His hat is deflated, but otherwise… not bad. pic.twitter.com/mMtWosBWVK
The incident spawned a hotbed of memes, some of which you can see below. Nonetheless, it was a historic moment for the One Piece franchise and anime’s mainstream reach as a whole. Here’s to Luffy, Goku, Pikachu, and more anime characters being featured in the future.
Netflix on Twitter: “pic.twitter.com/y7J2UbWCTA / Twitter”
pic.twitter.com/y7J2UbWCTA
https://twitter.com/AWDtwit/status/1727739849975992439
☆galaxy cowboy☆ on Twitter: “poor Luffy 🙁 pic.twitter.com/S9s4MMs8hR / Twitter”
poor Luffy 🙁 pic.twitter.com/S9s4MMs8hR
Gorpdon Goose on Twitter: “https://t.co/KvdqQT0NlO pic.twitter.com/oTzrRiUWU1 / Twitter”
https://t.co/KvdqQT0NlO pic.twitter.com/oTzrRiUWU1
rhyme on Twitter: “Goku’s smug face looking like he planted the tree that took out Luffy https://t.co/dguvs2eoeq / Twitter”
Goku’s smug face looking like he planted the tree that took out Luffy https://t.co/dguvs2eoeq
Merrivius (Arlokk the Atrocious) on Twitter: “#Thanksgiving #ThanksgivingDayParade #luffy pic.twitter.com/ZacaGxM7Pr / Twitter”
Thanksgiving #ThanksgivingDayParade #luffy pic.twitter.com/ZacaGxM7Pr
rena ˚୨୧⋆ on Twitter: “straw hat luffy ❌bucket hat luffy ☑️#ONEPIECE pic.twitter.com/K7M5cAxn8M / Twitter”
straw hat luffy ❌bucket hat luffy ☑️#ONEPIECE pic.twitter.com/K7M5cAxn8M
Colleen Clinkenbeard on Twitter: “Hey! Tree! pic.twitter.com/bYqiKHesWl / Twitter”
Hey! Tree! pic.twitter.com/bYqiKHesWl
Both Luffy and Goku trended on Twitter/X as a result of the events.
Toonami Squad on Twitter: “Trending News: Both Luffy and Goku are trending in the US.#OnePiece #DragonBallSuper #MacysParade pic.twitter.com/EKDY6G9rt5 / Twitter”
Trending News: Both Luffy and Goku are trending in the US.#OnePiece #DragonBallSuper #MacysParade pic.twitter.com/EKDY6G9rt5
Did you enjoy seeing Luffy in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Let us know by commenting below or directly on our social media.
