Why Gen Z Protesters in Nepal Are Flying the ‘One Piece’ Pirate Flag
Nepal’s capital saw an unusual image during recent unrest: a pirate flag from the Japanese manga One Piece hanging on the gates of the Singha Durbar palace as the historic site burned.
The flag, showing a skull with a straw hat, is the mark of the series’ main character, Monkey D. Luffy.
One Piece was created in 1997 by Eiichiro Oda and has since become the best-selling comic series in history, with over 500 million copies printed worldwide, according to Guinness World Records.
The story follows Luffy and his crew as they fight against powerful rulers while chasing their dream of freedom. The manga has also expanded into anime, fan media, and most recently, a Netflix adaptation.
For protesters in Kathmandu, the flag carried a clear message. Demonstrations demanding the prime minister’s resignation turned violent and lasted two days.
Organizer Bikhyat Khatri said the symbol was chosen because it represents the strength of young people pushing against obstacles. “It symbolizes aggression and determination to push anything that comes in its way,” he explained. He added that linking the protest to anime was deliberate: “We wanted the movement to feel like a Gen Z movement, so the slogans and symbols used during the protest were linked with things that Gen Z youths could relate to.”
The Straw Hat Spring🚨‼️
— Ghetto Fights & Other Shenanigans (@GhettoAndOthers) September 12, 2025
Different nations, different people, under the same flag. A flag that symbolizes freedom & liberation. From Indonesia, Nepal, Italian Freedom Flotilla to Gaza, and today France, who knows who will raise the flag tomorrow.
Oda the creator of One Piece is… pic.twitter.com/XHLA2EiJ4w
One Piece being the inspiration for Nepal’s uprising is poetic as fuck https://t.co/WomJpD9Rt1 pic.twitter.com/YeWvc2Dzmg
— vids that go hard (@vidsthatgohard) September 12, 2025
'ONE PIECE' FLAG SEEN AT LUNETA PROTEST
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) September 21, 2025
The "One Piece" flag, which was seen in anti-corruption protests in Nepal and Indonesia, also flew in Luneta Park, Manila.
📸 https://t.co/3UWeeHiNED / Jean Mangaluz (@JPMangaluz) pic.twitter.com/ASP075q3BF
The One Piece emblem has been used in other protests in Asia, including in Indonesia and the Philippines, and even surfaced in demonstrations in Paris. Its presence in Nepal highlights how global pop culture has become part of political movements.
Experts note that Luffy’s appeal makes him a natural figure for protest. Manga scholar Andrea Horbinski described him as a character people want to cheer for. “You can’t help but root for him,” she said, pointing to his ability to remain upbeat despite constant challenges.
It’s fascinating to see how a story meant for entertainment has become a real-world tool of resistance. Pop culture often shapes identity, and here it’s shaping political expression. Whether people agree with the protests or not, it shows how far-reaching the influence of manga can be. What do you think about a manga pirate flag being used in protests? Share your thoughts in the comments.
