Japanese manga 'One Piece' has become a symbol of Gen-Z resistance worldwide; here’s all you need to know

Gen Z protesters using Japanese manga `One Piece` as a cultural symbol for protest. Photo Courtesy: AFP

The recent protest in Mexico by Gen-Z against drug-related violence and the security policies of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is now sending a cultural wave across the world. Gen-Z, a generation known for thinking and acting differently, seems to have found a new symbol for protest: a cartoon skull wearing a straw hat.

Japanese pop-culture fans instantly recognise it as the flag from the popular anime and manga One Piece. The juxtaposition of a cartoon emblem with serious political demonstrations may seem unusual, but the gesture carries deep meaning for Gen-Z protestors who have taken to the streets not only in Mexico, but in several parts of the world.

From Mexico to Europe and Asia, the Jolly Roger has become a shorthand for resistance, solidarity, and collective identity. But when and how did it become a symbol of protest - and what exactly does it represent?

What is ‘One Piece'?
One Piece is a wildly popular Japanese manga created by Eiichiro Oda in 1997. Set in the fictional 'Blue Planet,' it follows the adventurous pirate captain Monkey D. Luffy and his misfit "Straw Hat" crew as they explore the Grand Line in search of the mythical treasure known as 'One Piece,' which would make Luffy the King of the Pirates. The manga gained immense popularity in Japan, and the release of the anime in 1999 cemented its global success. The franchise recently gained another surge of popularity after its live-action adaptation.

What does the flag symbolise?
For One Piece fans, the flag represents Luffy's mission to chase his dreams, liberate oppressed communities, and fight the autocratic World Government. In real life, it has transcended borders and languages to become a rallying cry for youth-led protest movements.

Symbol of protest
Protests that have broken out across the globe in recent years have adopted the One Piece flag as a symbol, especially among Gen-Z demonstrators. A few countries where this flag has featured during protests in recent times are Nepal, Madagascar, Indonesia, Philippines.

Although the creator Eiichiro Oda designed this flag simply out of his fascination for pirates and classic manga motifs, the Straw Hat Pirates' Jolly Roger has evolved into a powerful tool of political expression and defiance.