The Pirate Flag of 'One Piece' that Enthralls Generation Z: Why Pop Culture Transcends Protest Movements

The Jolly Roger of the "Straw Hat Pirates" from the popular Japanese manga 'ONE PIECE' rapidly spread as a symbol of solidarity in Gen Z protest movements across Asia in 2025. Fortune analyzes that the background of this flag's cross-border dissemination lies in the shared culture and rapid spread among the digital-native generation. In Indonesia, the authorities' response was divided, leading to a debate over freedom of expression. The protest colors "Brave Pink/Hero Green" also spread on social media, with reports indicating their influence reached Nepal, the Philippines, and even Europe. On social media, there was heated debate over whether pop culture should be brought into politics, how to handle copyright and trademarks, and the pros and cons of "cross-border solidarity" in domestic issues. Meanwhile, many media outlets pointed out that the story of "comrades resisting oppression" from the work functioned as a universal language across generations. This article examines reports from various countries and examples from social media to decipher the process by which the flag transformed from a "meme" into a "moral narrative = movement language."