As Thanksgiving approaches, the lineup of balloons for the 99th annual Thanksgiving parade in New York City has been revealed. Fans of the popular animated series KPop Demon Hunters have a special reason to celebrate, as beloved characters Derpy Tiger and Sussie are set to appear as spectacular floats.
This famous event is held annually in New York City, showcasing a diverse array of balloons from different corners of pop culture. Previous appearances have included characters ranging from SpongeBob SquarePants and Scooby-Doo to anime favorites like Dragon Ball and One Piece.
Derpy Tiger and Sussie are featured in the hit animated show KPop Demon Hunters. Within the series' plot, Huntr/x is a popular musical act by day and a team of demon slayers by night, harnessing their musical power to restore the Honmoon and protect the human world from invading demons. Much like the show's main heroes and rivals, Derpy and Sussie have won the hearts of viewers everywhere and are sure to be a standout attraction for audiences of all ages during the parade.
One could easily claim that this year has belonged of KPop Demon Hunters. The Sony Animation production has soared to the top as the top-viewed movie on the streaming platform, received 5 Grammy nominations, and the vocal talents behind the main characters—Ejae (Rumi), Audrey Nuna (Mira), and Rei Ami (Zoey)—recently performed on a popular television program, delivering a stunning Honmoon-worthy act.
Making things even better, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami are also scheduled to perform live during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Audiences can anticipate a potentially "Golden" performance from the group.
An upcoming sequel, KPop Demon Hunters 2, is said to be in the works, with a potential release in 2029. Although fans will have to be patient, the widespread love for the first movie suggests that fans will gladly wait for a follow-up worthy of the original success. In the meantime, fans can enjoy the amazing inflatable versions of Derpy Tiger and Sussie at the holiday parade.
Don't miss the full gallery of images here to see the balloons up close!
Maya Chen is an urban planner and writer with over a decade of experience in sustainable city development and community engagement.