How One Piece became Gen Z's battle cry against oppression

UPDATED: Sep 10, 2025 20:00 IST

Generation Z might have earned a reputation for being workshy phone-phobic millennials, but when it comes to standing up to corrupt governments, they're anything but lazy. From the streets of Jakarta to the squares of Kathmandu, young protesters are wielding an unlikely weapon against oppression: the Jolly Roger flag of an anime pirate crew.

The flag belongs to the Straw Hat Pirates from One Piece, the world's most popular manga series. What started as entertainment has morphed into something far more powerful: a symbol of resistance that transcends borders, languages, and cultures.

From Screens to Streets

One Piece follows Monkey D. Luffy and his ragtag crew of pirates who, rather than pillaging villages, spend their time liberating nations from tyrannical rulers. The parallels weren't lost on young protesters in Indonesia and Nepal, who began carrying the Straw Hat Jolly Roger alongside traditional protest banners.

In Indonesia, the movement gained momentum during student demonstrations earlier this year, dubbed "Dark Indonesia." As Independence Day approached in mid-2025, the protests exploded. Truck drivers and university students began hoisting the pirate flag alongside or even instead of the red and white national colours.

Their grievances were real: rising taxes under President Prabowo Subianto's government, rampant corruption, and the military's increasing interference in civilian affairs. The One Piece flag offered protesters a clever workaround. It was recognisable to their generation but obscure enough to initially fly under official radar.

When police began confiscating flags and officials warned of potential "treason" charges, the crackdown only amplified the movement's reach online. Young Indonesians had found their symbol.

Nepal's Digital Uprising

Nepal's Gen Z took the trend even further in September 2025. When the government banned 26 major social media platforms under the guise of fighting misinformation, young Nepalis saw it as a direct assault on free speech.

The response was swift and decisive. Protesters flooded the streets, most under 28, leaderless but united by their shared frustration. The Straw Hat Jolly Roger became their unofficial flag, embodying the anime's core message: resist oppressive forces and live freely.

The clashes turned deadly. At least 19 protesters lost their lives, hundreds more were injured, but the pressure eventually forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign. The pirate flag had helped topple a government.

A Global Cultural Currency

The phenomenon extends beyond Southeast Asia. T-shirts emblazoned with "Luffy Would Free Palestine" have become bestsellers, whilst similar slogans appear on social media worldwide. This isn't mere cosplay or fan service; it's cultural shorthand for resistance.

One Piece resonates because its central crew never compromises with tyrants. They fight for freedom, protect the innocent, and refuse to bow to corrupt authority figures. For a generation watching their futures being "plundered" by incompetent leaders, nepotistic systems, and broken promises, the symbolism is perfect.

The Power of Pure Symbols

Where national flags feel tainted by association with failing governments, a pirate flag from Japanese anime feels untouchable. It represents ideals rather than institutions, hope rather than history.

The skull and straw hat combination has become instantly recognisable to young people globally as a symbol of principled resistance. It cuts through language barriers and cultural differences, united by shared values of freedom and justice that transcend geographical borders.

Beyond Fandom

When protesters hoist that distinctive skull and straw hat on placards and banners, they're making a statement that goes far beyond anime appreciation. They're declaring that they won't accept having their futures stolen by corrupt elites.

Generation Z might struggle with phone calls and traditional workplace hierarchies, but when it comes to fighting for their principles, they've found their voice. And apparently, it speaks fluent pirate.

The Straw Hat Jolly Roger has become more than merchandise or meme material. It's evolved into a battle standard for young people who refuse to let their dreams be crushed by the very systems meant to protect them. In an age where traditional symbols feel compromised, sometimes the purest expression of resistance comes from the most unexpected places.

After all, as any One Piece fan knows, the greatest treasures are worth fighting for.

- Ends