UPDATE 11/5/18:
Funimation has released the first look at the actual Goku balloon in action from a recent test flight event in New Jersey.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Goku may be the world’s worst father, but even he understands the importance of bringing the family together around the holidays. Well, not his family, but other people’s families, which is why Macy’s and Funimation announced on Thursday that Dragon Ball Super‘s resident blue-haired Super Saiyan superstar will be joining the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in giant balloon form.
While there have been many versions of Goku over the years, the giant balloon will be modeled after his godlike Super Saiyan Blue form, which first appeared in the feature film Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F. In addition to turning his hair a lovely shade of blue, it also filled him with heretofore unseen power, which is really saying something considering just how powerful Goku has become over the years. Now Goku will be filled with heretofore unseen amounts of helium to fill out the gigantic balloon.
Measuring 70 feet long, 36 feet wide, and 56 feet tall, the super-sized Super Saiyan will require more than 100 balloon handlers t0 make it safely through the streets of New York City. The actual balloon has not been revealed yet, but Funimation has published concept art of what the finished product will look like, as well as a behind-the-scenes video about how they worked with Toei Animation to create the balloon concept. No word yet if the parade will end with the handlers holding their arms out and screaming until the action resumes during the 2019 parade though.
In the meantime, if you’re hankering for more Dragon Ball goodness, you can catch Goku and the gang squaring off with a fan-favorite face in Dragon Ball Super: Broly, which hits theaters on January 16, 2019.
What do you think of the giant Goku balloon? What other Dragon Ball character deserves to join the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Let me know in the comments below.
Images: Funimation