The Straw Hat Pirates’ Jolly Roger, the iconic flag from One Piece, has moved far beyond the world of anime and manga. Once just a symbol of adventure and rebellion in Eiichiro Oda’s long-running series, —first seen flying in Indonesian protests it is now making appearances at protests across the Philippines, Nepal, Indonesia, and France.

Origins in Indonesia
In July 2025, just before Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day, the flag appeared in Jakarta and other cities—on motorbikes, homes, trucks, and murals—instead of the national flag. Truck drivers refused to fly the national flag during protests tied to policies they said disadvantaged working-class people and ignored corruption and inequality.

Protesters gather in front of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Headquarters (Polda Metro Jaya) on Friday, August 29, 2025. Photo: ANTARA PHOTO/Dhemas Reviyanto/rwa.


According to Reuters, mural artist Kemas Muhammad Firdaus explained the flag’s appeal: “Many Indonesians are hoisting the ‘One Piece’ flag because they want the government to listen to them.” He described the symbol as a unifying voice for the country’s youth.

Adoption in Nepal, the Philippines, and France
Inspired by Indonesia, the Jolly Roger soon appeared elsewhere:

In Nepal, where demonstrations erupted against a social media ban, corruption, and authoritarian rule, protesters carried the flag over government buildings with banners like “Unmute our voice.” “The flag is a voice against oppression,” said protester Anup Karki. “Jolly Roger raises voices against the already empowered who exploit their authority.”

On September 9, a One Piece flag drapes the gates of Singha Durbar palace in Kathmandu, Nepal, during protests. Photo: Sunil Pradhan/Anadolu/Getty Images.

In the Philippines, the flag was spotted at the “Trillion Peso March” protests against alleged misuse of flood control funds, and at rallies in Manila and other cities.

One Piece flags are displayed during a September 2025 protest in Luneta Park, Manila. Photo: Philstar / Jean Mangaluz

In France, young activists carried the flag during recent multi-union protests alongside banners criticizing budget cuts and government policies, using it to express solidarity with global movements.

A One Piece flag is present at a protest of the "Block Everything" movement on September 10. Photo: Vincent Koebel / NurPhoto


Why this flag resonates
The cartoonish skull and crossbones, once confined to anime fandom, has become a protest icon because it represents a fight against corrupt powers—just like in One Piece. The flag is instantly recognisable, but also adaptable across borders.

Illustration Credit: Bibong Choi / DeviantArt. Character and Symbol © EIICHIRO ODA


Social media has amplified its reach: videos, images, and murals shared online helped spread the symbol from one country to another, creating a sense of international solidarity. For many young protesters, it is more than nostalgia—it signals that they refuse to remain silent.

With its growing presence in global demonstrations, the Jolly Roger is more than just fan culture—it’s a marker of a generation’s spirit, and one that many believe will be remembered in the history books.