Gen Z revolutionaries worldwide have a common emblem: A pirate flag from ‘One Piece,’ the best-selling manga in history

The image, which usually decorates the flag with a black background, comes from a “one -piece”, a very popular Japanese manga.

What started as a fantastic slogan from the pirate crew almost three decades ago became a strong symbol of the youth -led resistance, as it appeared in demonstrations from Indonesia and Nepal to the Philippines and France.

As a researcher in the media and democracy, I see the spread of Julie Roger from the peeling pirates – which moved from the manga pages to the squares – as an example of how to reshape the cultural vocabulary of the opposition.

Pop culture as political expression

“One Piece” arrived at the birth of the Gen-Z, which was established by the Japanese manga artist in 1997.

Since then, it has sold more than 500 million copies and has Guinness’s global record for its success in publishing.

I was born long-term television series, live movies, and manufacture of more than $ 20 billion, with goods license alone generating about $ 720 million every year from Bandai Namco, the company known to create PAC-Man and Tekken.

In essence, “One Piece” Monkey D. Luffy and its crew, pirates hate straw, follows because they unite a corrupt global government while searching for freedom and adventure.

For the masses, the “One Piece” brand is not an informal decoration but rather a slogan of challenge and perseverance. Luffy’s ability to extend beyond the material borders after the consumption of magic fruits has become a strong metaphor for flexibility, while his steadfast pursuit of freedom against the impossible possibilities hesitates with young people who move in political environments that are characterized by corruption, inequality and authoritarian surplus.

When the demonstrators adopt this science, they are not simply importing aesthetic from popular culture, but they are already lying a narration readable for millions.

Science began to appear in the protests over the past few years. He was funded in the “Free Palestine” protest in 2023 in Indonesia and the same year in New York during a pro -Palestinian demonstration.

But in Indonesia in August 2025, the political life of science was really taken. There, the demonstrators embraced it to express frustration with government policies, heating in corruption and inequality. The timing coincided with government calls to national offers during independence celebrations, which sharpened the contrast between official nationalism and popular opposition.

The movement gained momentum when the authorities responded with strong criticism to use the flag, and attracted more attention to the symbol. Government officials described the offers as threats to national unity, while demonstrators view them as legitimate expressions of political frustration.

Why does science travel?

The speed of the “One Piece” brand, which is spread by Jolly Roger, reflects the Gen Z. This is the first group that grows completely over the Internet, immersed in themes, anime, and global entertainment privileges. Their political communication depends on what scientists call the “network public” – societies that are formed and act through digital platforms instead of official organizations.

Solidarity in this preparation does not require party or ideology. Instead, this depends on joint cultural references. The mic, gesture, or knowledge immediately can carry a meaning by dividing language, religion or geography. This form of communication is based on well -known cultural symbols that allow young people to get to know each other even when their political systems differ.

Social media gives this solidarity, speed and speed. Indonesian videos were cut and recycled on Tiktok and Instagram, where they reached the masses beyond their original context. By the time when the symbol appeared in Kathmandu, the Nepalese capital, in September, he was already carrying a young challenge aura.

Decally, this was not a simple tradition. In Nepal, science was linked to anger in youth unemployment and in a wealth of spoken political strains offered on the Internet. In Indonesia, it reflects the disappointment of hope with the national rituals that felt the hollow against the background of corruption. Either way, Jolly Roger has worked like an open source icon-opposite to adapting locally but immediately elsewhere.

Part of the effectiveness of science comes from its ambiguity. Unlike the party’s slogan, the “One Piece” flag arises in popular culture, making it difficult for governments to suppress them without appearing authoritarian. During the latest protests in Indonesia, the authorities confiscated banners and described them as treason. But such bars are just overwhelmed general frustration.

Imagination as a fact

The “one piece” flag is not alone in its re -conception as a symbol of resistance.

Throughout the movements around the world, pop culture and digital culture have become strong resources for activists. In Chile and Beirut, the demonstrators wore the masks of Joker as a visual reduction of anger at corruption and inequality. In Thailand, the demonstrators have turned into “Hamtaro”, an anime children around the hamster, memorizing his main song and waving luxurious games to heat political leaders.

This mixture of politics, entertainment and personal identity reflects a mixed media environment in which symbols derived from Vandum strength are gained. It is easy to identify, adapt and defend the state’s suppression.

However, the cultural resonance alone does not explain the call. The science of “one piece” was discovered because it captured the opposite life of life. In Nepal, where youth unemployment exceeds 20 % and immigration for work is common, demonstrators associate a slogan with slogans like “Gen Z will not be silent” and “Our future is not for sale.”

In Indonesia, some demonstrators argued that the national flag was “very sacred” so that it could not be transferred in a corrupt system, using a pirate banner as an indication of disappointment.

The spread of science also reflects a broader shift in how to move across border protest ideas. In the past, what was inclined to travel was tactics such as sitting, marches or hunger strikes. Today, the fastest spinning is the symbols, and the visual references of the global culture that can be adapted to local struggles with a well -known survival elsewhere.

Science goes global

The journey of science from Asian streets to protests in France and Slovakia shows how opposition rules have become global.

For young activists today, culture and politics are inseparable. The digital cradle produced a generation that transports grievances through the momentum, symbols and cultural references that cross the border easily.

When the demonstrators in Jakarta, Kathmando or Manila are looming with the flag of “one piece” Jolly Roger, they are not indulging in playing but they convert a cultural icon into a living symbol of challenge.

Nuurrianti Jalli, Assistant Professor in Professional Practice, College of Information and Strategic Communications, Oklahoma State University

This article of the conversation is republished under the Creative Community Licensing. Read the original article.