Home

Photos

E-Paper

Videos

MD Fast

PICS: Glimpses of how `One Piece` flag is showing up in global protests

Updated On: 17 November, 2025 04:51 PM IST | Nascimento Pinto

From Mexico to Nepal, Gen-Z protesters are adopting the One Piece pirate flag as a symbol of freedom and defiance

From Mexico to Nepal, Gen-Z protesters are adopting the One Piece pirate flag as a symbol of freedom and defiance

1/6

From Mexico to Nepal, Gen-Z protesters are adopting the One Piece pirate flag as a symbol of freedom and defiance

One Piece’s Straw Hat pirate flag — a skull in a straw hat — has become a global Gen-Z symbol of freedom and defiance. First introduced in Eiichiro Oda’s 1997 manga, the flag in the series stands for Luffy’s fight against oppression and corrupt authority. Today, protesters worldwide are using it as a simple, universal symbol of rebellion and the demand for change. Here are glimpses of its appearance in global protests.
MexicoIn recent protests, Gen-Z protesters used the Straw Hat Pirates’ Jolly Roger to speak out against widespread drug-related violence — which claims tens of thousands of lives each year — and to criticise the security policies of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

2/6

One Piece’s Straw Hat pirate flag — a skull in a straw hat — has become a global Gen-Z symbol of freedom and defiance. First introduced in Eiichiro Oda’s 1997 manga, the flag in the series stands for Luffy’s fight against oppression and corrupt authority. Today, protesters worldwide are using it as a simple, universal symbol of rebellion and the demand for change. Here are glimpses of its appearance in global protests. MexicoIn recent protests, Gen-Z protesters used the Straw Hat Pirates’ Jolly Roger to speak out against widespread drug-related violence — which claims tens of thousands of lives each year — and to criticise the security policies of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

ADVERTISEMENT

NepalIn September this year, the flag was draped over the golden gates of the palace that houses Nepal’s Parliament, as young Gen-Z protesters rallied and ultimately helped topple their government.

3/6

NepalIn September this year, the flag was draped over the golden gates of the palace that houses Nepal’s Parliament, as young Gen-Z protesters rallied and ultimately helped topple their government.

IndonesiaIndonesia saw one of the earliest political uses of the One Piece flag in October 2023 during protests against the Gaza War. In August 2025, the flag became a symbol of domestic dissent — displayed outside homes, on motorbikes, cars, and trucks as a sign of growing frustration with the government.

4/6

IndonesiaIndonesia saw one of the earliest political uses of the One Piece flag in October 2023 during protests against the Gaza War. In August 2025, the flag became a symbol of domestic dissent — displayed outside homes, on motorbikes, cars, and trucks as a sign of growing frustration with the government.

ADVERTISEMENT

PhillipinesIn the Philippines, the flag was raised during the `Trillion Peso March,` where protesters took to the streets to denounce alleged corruption and the country’s `ghost projects` scandal in September.

5/6

PhillipinesIn the Philippines, the flag was raised during the `Trillion Peso March,` where protesters took to the streets to denounce alleged corruption and the country’s `ghost projects` scandal in September.

MadagascarDuring the September–October protests in Madagascar, Gen-Z protesters adopted the straw-hat skull symbol to express anger over the government’s failure to provide adequate water and electricity.

6/6

MadagascarDuring the September–October protests in Madagascar, Gen-Z protesters adopted the straw-hat skull symbol to express anger over the government’s failure to provide adequate water and electricity.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tags

ADVERTISEMENT

Photo of Day

Bliss by the beach

Bliss by the beach

A photographer holds up the lights during a photo session by the Madh Island seashore. PIC/NIMESH DAVE

ADVERTISEMENT