This is big, really big. Takashi Murakami is preparing balloons from his mascot characters Kaikai and Kiki for Macy’s annual Thanksgiving parade in New York, according to Dave Itzkoff in the New York Times:

Mr. Murakami will be the fourth contemporary artist in recent years to have his work translated to the Macy’s parade-balloon medium, following Tom Otterness (whose upside-down Humpty Dumpty made its parade debut in 2005), Jeff Koons (whose inflatable bunny followed in 2006) and Keith Haring (whose estate contributed to a figure-with-heart balloon in 2008).

Asked in a telephone interview if Mr. Murakami’s characters might be a tad unsettling for younger parade viewers, Robin Hall, the parade’s executive producer said: “Fangs are very hot right now, if you’ve missed this trend. This is an excellent year for Murakami. And these balloons are adorable. They have a charm to them.”

From Mickey to Murakami: Kaikai and Kiki to Join Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (Arts Beat/New York Times)