Pokemon fans will have something extra to celebrate this Thanksgiving when Pikachu and Eevee make their return to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, marking the 22nd year that Nintendo’s Pokemon characters have appeared in the holiday event. The beloved franchise made another high-flying aerial appearance this year when China Airlines launched the “Pikachu Jet CI,” a Pokemon-themed Airbus airliner.
The Pokemon brand has undergone somewhat of a resurgence lately, not that the iconic franchise ever truly went out of the spotlight. With the success of the live-action Detective Pikachu film in 2019, a new generation of fans were introduced to Nintendo’s classic brand, while the recent Pokemon Legends: Arceus showed that the franchise can adapt to modern gamers’ tastes. With the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet just over the horizon, and a new Detective Pikachu game for the Nintendo Switch in the works, this high-profile appearance by two of the brand’s most well-known characters is sure to help Pokemon garner even more attention.
In a post on the official Pokemon website, it was announced that Pikachu and Eevee will be returning to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24. This will mark the second time the two have appeared together in balloon form, following the debut of their Poke Ball-themed sled during last year’s parade. The holiday themed Pokemon float is sure to delight fans of the franchise, at least if they can manage to pull themselves away from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet long enough to tune in. Pikachu and Eevee fans wanting to catch the pair will be able to see the parade on November 24 at 9 a.m. In all time zones, on TV on NBC or streaming on Peacock.
The Pokemon franchise first appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2001, when a helium-filled Pikachu floated down the streets of New York to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the brand. In the years since Pikachu’s electrifying debut in the parade, the iconic character’s float has gone through several incarnations, with the Pikachu and Eevee float marking the latest version. As Nintendo prepares for the upcoming release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, continuing the tradition of a Pokemon float is both a treat for fans of the franchise and a high-profile advertisement for the new title.
For Pokemon fans looking for some light entertainment while preparing their holiday meal, or just something to pass the time while they charge their Switch before hopping back into Paldea, catching Pikachu and Eevee drifting through the skies of New York could make for great entertainment. And, after a man dressed as Pikachu was arrested on a lawnmower while evading police earlier this month, the adorable electric rodent could use all the good press he can get.
Source: Pokemon.com