The Mandalorian's Grogu is getting his own Funko-style balloon in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Disney+ Star Wars show created by Jon Favreau already has two seasons under its belt, and Grogu, known colloquially as Baby Yoda, is arguably its most popular character. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a Fall holiday staple, having been an annual New York City tradition since 1924.

The Mandalorian quickly became a hit when it released in 2019, thanks in no small part to Grogu. The much younger member of Yoda's force-sensitive species took the internet by storm, with nearly every episode offering some new example of his cuteness that instantly became meme-fodder. But season 2 proved the character was no mere gimmick, as the emotional bond he formed with the protagonist, Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin, became a touchstone for audience investment.

Related: Why The Mandalorian Season 2 Didn't Use Mark Hamill's Real Voice For Luke

Now, Funko has shared an image of a new parade balloon that demonstrates Grogu's cultural capital. The design features The Mandalorian character, complete with green skin and adorably large eyes and ears, in his trademark tan coat. He is shown reaching out for the metal ball from the protagonist's ship that, despite early attempts to discourage him, quickly became his favorite plaything. A limited-edition product line inspired by the parade will also be available for purchase from the Funko website. Check out a rendering of the balloon below:

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The Funko Pop!-inspired design is certainly cute, and  The Mandalorian fans should enjoy seeing him float through New York City on Thanksgiving Day, but it could also reopen a wound for some viewers of the series. In The Mandalorian season 2 finale, a post-Return of the Jedi Luke Skywalker responds to Grogu's call for a Jedi Master, and the two characters who have become so close are forced to separate. This seemed to complete the Mandalorian's mission to rescue Grogu and set them on divergent paths, making it unclear when (or if) Baby Yoda will return to the series.

In light of the show's most recent episode, it's possible Funko's Grogu balloon is in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade because he won't be returning to the show anytime soon, and everyone involved wants to strike while the iron is still hot. It's more likely, though, that it offers no indication of anything plot-related besides how successful both the show and this particular character have been. In either case, it offers a nice way to celebrate the series and lets fans add a little of The Mandalorian to their holiday season.

Next: Why The Mandalorian Season 2 Ending & Grogu's Goodbye Was Based On E.T.

Source: Funko

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