A flag from the Japanese anime and manga series, One Piece, has become an unexpected symbol of protests driven by Gen-Zers who grew up watching the show, as young people across the world take to the streets in unprecedented numbers.
Why It Matters
Protests led by Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, are spanning continents and causes, as young people mobilize over grievances such as corruption, economic hardship, failing public services and restrictions on digital freedom, everywhere from Nairobi to Jakarta, Kathmandu to Antananarivo.
While previous coverage had lamented the generation’s absence from political protests, the surge of activism across the globe reflects how young people are challenging traditional power structures and politics, as well as redefining protest through digital connections.
What To Know
The series One Piece is about a group of pirates called “The Straw Hats,” who are fighting an oppressive government. It has become a phenomenon in popular culture worldwide, having been translated into multiple languages and adapted into its own live-action Netflix series.
The One Piece manga began its original run in 1997, which coincidentally marks the first year that Gen Z was born. The anime television series began in 1999. Both the manga and TV show are still running.
As of August 2022, One Piece was the bestselling manga series of all time. Both the popularity and the duration of its run have likely contributed to the flag’s significance for Gen-Zers.
“The Straw Hats” are led by a character named Monkey D. Luffy. The flag itself is known as the Jolly Roger of the Straw Hat Pirates, which symbolizes freedom and resistance against oppression.
The flag was seen at protests in Nepal in September, when tens of thousands of young people took to the streets, originally to protest a government ban on social media. The deeper roots of the movement, however, stem from long-standing government corruption and a lack of economic opportunities for young people who aren’t “nepo kids,” or children of political leaders.
This protest ultimately led to Nepal’s prime minister resigning, and Supreme Court Justice Karki, known for her anti-corruption stance, was sworn in as interim prime minister. She has the backing of the Gen Z protesters who are pushing for governmental change.
Then, the flag was spotted at protests in Indonesia, the Philippines, Morocco and France. Prior to this, it had also been seen at pro-Palestine protests in London.
And while the exact purposes of these protests change from country to country, one thing is consistent: they’re driven by Gen Z, and they’re all waving the One Piece flag.
What People Are Saying
@utopicposts, in a post on X: “Gen Z is carrying massive protests in: Nepal Peru Philippines Indonesia Kenya Madagascar Morocco Ecuador France All carrying One Piece flags.”
@AnimeSpotlightt, in a post on X: “After Indonesia, One Piece has now become the symbol of Gen Z youth protests in Nepal following the government’s social media ban.”
@almost_co, in a post on X: “Thousands of young people, mostly Gen Z students, in Madagascar took to the streets in huge protests, holding ‘One Piece’ flags, which has grown as a symbol of resistance by Gen Z protesters across the world, demanding basic rights to water and electricity.”
@s1dingt0n, in a post on X: “I’ve got a feeling this is only the beginning. The One Piece flag is quickly becoming a global symbol of rebellion and freedom for Gen Z, already appearing in 10 countries — and it’s only a matter of time before it shows up in the UK and US.”
What Happens Next
As the flag continues to appear at protests worldwide, social media users have speculated that it will become a more prevalent symbol of resistance among young people and questioned whether it will soon be seen in protests on other continents, including North America.
