How the One Piece flag became a symbol of protest

In recent months, the skull-and-straw-hat flag from the Japanese anime One Piece has emerged as a prominent symbol in anti-government protests across several countries.

The movement, mostly led by Gen Z, began in early August in Indonesia and has now spread across various Global South countries, including Nepal, Morocco, Peru, Madagascar, Bolivia and the Philippines.

While each country’s circumstances differ, the skull-and-straw-hat flag, once a fictional symbol, has now become a representation of dissent and a call for justice and freedom in these countries.