'One Piece' Pirate Flag Takes on New Role in Global Protests

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The skull-and-straw-hat pirate flag from the Japanese manga One Piece has been used at demonstrations in several countries. From Asia and Africa to the United States, some participants have adopted the flag as a recognizable cultural symbol. They have been using it to express opposition to what they perceive as corruption and authoritarianism.

Created by manga artist Eiichiro Oda, One Piece follows the boy hero Luffy, who dreams of becoming the Pirate King. Together with his diverse crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, he battles a corrupt World Government and arrogant elites known as the Celestial Dragons. Since its debut in 1997, the series has sold over 500 million copies worldwide. Its themes of freedom, justice, and loyalty have resonated deeply with younger generations across cultures.

The Flag at the 'Crossroads of the World'

On October 18, large "No Kings" protests against Donald Trump's administration took place across the US. In New York's Times Square, protesters waved multiple One Piece flags.

Jonathan, a 21-year-old New Yorker who joined the protest, said the One Piece flag has become a powerful global symbol. It allows demonstrators to connect not only with other young people but with anyone who shares their sense of frustration and hope.

Demonstrations in Nepal and Madagascar inspired him. There, protesters raised the One Piece flag as a symbol of freedom and defiance. Drawing on those examples, he hoped to express solidarity with global movements and highlight what he saw as parallels in the challenges faced by young people in the US.

*A One Piece pirate flag at a protest against the Trump administration held in New York on October 18 (©Sankei by Eiji Honma).*

A Chain of Flags Across Asia and Africa

The wave of One Piece flags began in Asia. In Indonesia, citizens protesting a government call to display the national flag on Independence Day raised pirate flags instead.

Similar scenes appeared in Nepal and the Philippines. Images spread rapidly through social media and soon reached Madagascar, where young protesters were joined by sympathetic soldiers — a movement that eventually led to a coup. Demonstrations led by Gen Z have also been reported in Morocco, Kenya, and elsewhere.

Nuurrianti Jalli, an associate professor at Oklahoma State University, noted that the global appeal of One Piece stems from its portrayal of outsiders and nonconformists joining forces to confront injustice. She explained that the story's themes transcend borders, resonating with young people who feel marginalized or constrained by social and political systems.