The Straw Hat Pirates’ Jolly Roger is a pirate flag featured in the hugely popular Japanese manga One Piece. The Straw Hat Pirates are a crew of misfits led by their captain, Monkey D. Luffy, as they explore the world, fight enemies, and aid those oppressed. In the anime, the flag represents their fight for freedom and resistance against the oppressive World Government, much like it is used in protests. It depicts a skull wearing a straw hat on a black background, carried by the Jolly Roger members in their fight for freedom. The manga has been translated into many languages and is now a live-action series on Netflix.
In July of 2025, this flag made its debut in Indonesia. It was seen everywhere, whether hanging outside homes, vehicles, or being painted on walls; it was impossible to miss. It was a way to show the frustration with the increasingly centralized government of Indonesia, led by President Prabowo Subianto. The flag made its appearance on Independence Day, when the country’s national flag was requested to be hung; many hung the pirate flag instead. Indonesian officials say the usage of these flags is treason.
The flag spread like wildfire, making appearances in mainly Nepal, the Philippines, France, Peru, and Madagascar, all for different but similar reasons: government corruption.
In Nepal, the flag was used in protests against social media restrictions, while in France, against government budget measures.
In the U.S., the flag was flown in Miami and Los Angeles, at the No King’s Protest against the Trump Administration, as well as protests in Portland against ICE Operations.
Other than the similarity of the flag being flown as a sign of resilience against the government, another shared factor is who is flying these flags.
Gen Z is thought of as one of the most socially conscious generations. Here is another way they have proved their title.
Gen Z has used the widely recognized One Piece flag and applied it to their real world. They have used their creativity and connection to pop culture and taken it further, using it to protest for their lives and freedoms, transforming it from their screens to the streets.
They resonate heavily with the themes underlying the manga, mainly the theme of freedom. They apply what they see directly into their lives.
A youth-led movement resulted from the flying of the flag. Young people felt connected with people they have never even met who are across the world, all by a flag.
This is not the only time a pop culture reference was shown at protests.
Hong Kong protesters used Pepe the Frog as a symbol of pro-democracy in 2019. Myanmar protesters used the three-finger salute from The Hunger Games in 2021 against military rule.
The occurrence of pop-culture references in protesting is a way for Gen-Z to inspire people to fight with familiar flags and messages.
This flag represents more than just an anime to Gen-Z, but a connecting spirit.
