How the ‘One Piece’ Manga Has Become a Global Symbol of Gen Z Revolt

Each generation has its symbol of revolt and revolution. In the 2010s, Millennials brandished the mask from "V for Vendetta" during the Arab Spring protests and Occupy Wall Street. Today, Generation Z seems to have discovered its own protest symbol: a skull and crossbones flag where the skull is sporting a straw hat. The image, originally from the popular "One Piece" Japanese manga, has become a symbol of their hunger for justice and change.

For the past few months, this flag has been popping up on banners and flags during protests all across the globe and lighting up social media. The demands vary between countries, but Gen Z youth in Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, Madagascar, Morocco and many other countries are rising up… and are adopting this manga flag as a symbol of their efforts.

This particular Jolly Roger flag belongs to Luffy, the hero of the cult manga "One Piece". It isn’t a coincidence or a wink to pop culture that so many youth protesters around the world have adopted this flag as their symbol: it is representative of the ideology championed by a large segment of this generation. 

Protesters in Asia – in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Nepal – first started carrying the flag, but it quickly spread across the globe. In Madagascar, people made it their profile picture to show their support for local protesters. Some protesters in France carried posters or banners featuring Luffy’s flag during protests held on September 10. Later, it was also picked up by some members of Morocco’s GenZ 212, an internet-born movement calling for social justice, better healthcare and education systems, and a fight against corruption.

By: The FRANCE 24 Observers / Nora LITOUSSI