Anime-Inspired Activism: How ‘One Piece’ is Fueling Gen Z’s Global Protests
By Pranav Baskar
Gen Z protests are undeniably having a significant moment on the world stage.
In just the last month, countries like Nepal, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Madagascar have all witnessed large-scale demonstrations spearheaded by young people. Their collective outrage against government corruption and inequality is palpable. A striking common thread flying above these protests is a familiar symbol: a grinning skull and bones wearing a straw hat.
This distinctive flag originates from ‘One Piece,’ a hugely popular Japanese manga and anime series that chronicles the adventures of a resourceful pirate crew battling a corrupt and oppressive world government. The franchise, which recently saw a successful live-action adaptation on Netflix, boasts a massive global following, with over 500 million copies of its print version sold and translations into more than a dozen languages.
The ‘One Piece’ flag first appeared at protests in 2023 during pro-Palestinian marches in Indonesia and Britain. Since then, it has quickly evolved into a powerful emblem for youth-led movements worldwide.
Its presence has been seen prominently on the gates of Nepal’s government complex, which was burned during protests that ultimately led to the government’s collapse. It has been spray-painted on walls in Jakarta and proudly hoisted by crowds in Manila. Most recently, it emerged in Madagascar, where protests this week forced the dissolution of the government.
“We know that Gen Z is protesting all around the world, and we wanted to use symbols that made sense to our generation,” explained Rakshya Bam, 26, a Nepali Gen Z protest organizer, to my colleague Hannah Beech. “The pirate flag, Jolly Roger, it’s like a common language now.”
More than just an emblem, the ‘One Piece’ flag serves as a potent allegory. The series’ protagonist, Luffy, can be seen as either a terrorist or a freedom fighter, depending on one’s perspective. His iconic straw hat, a gift from his childhood hero, symbolizes a belief that Luffy and his generation will eventually triumph over injustice.
Another Nepali protester, Irfan Khan, shared with Hannah that the plot’s resonance is key to the symbol’s power. “The pirate, it’s like a way to say we are not going to put up with injustice and corruption anymore,” he articulated.
This isn’t the first instance of protesters adopting popular cultural references for their cause. In the 2010s, activists in Thailand opposing a military coup famously adopted the three-fingered salute from ‘The Hunger Games,’ a dystopian movie. This salute has since persisted as a symbol of resistance in other nations, including Myanmar.
“I think we are entering a new era of organizing that draws heavily from digital, pop and gaming culture, creating a common vocabulary,” noted Raqib Naik, director of the Center for the Study of Organized Hate, a U.S.-based watchdog. The ‘One Piece’ flag, uniting protesters across vast distances, is a testament to this generation’s shared culture, merging popular narratives with anti-establishment politics into a formidable force that has already led to the downfall of at least two governments — and continues to grow.
— Additional reporting by Parin Behrooz and Hannah Beech
The Evolving View on Israel-Palestine: Charting U.S. Public Opinion
A chart showing voters’ responses to Times/Siena polls taken in December 2023 and September 2025 to a question about if they thought Israel was intentionally or unintentionally killing civilians. The share that said they thought Israel was intentionally killing civilians has increased to 40 percent from 22 percent over this period. (Based on New York Times/Siena polls of registered voters nationwide conducted Dec. 10-14, 2023, and Sept. 22-27, 2025. Respondents were asked if they thought Israel was taking enough precautions to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza. Those who said Israel was not taking enough precautions were asked if they thought Israel was intentionally or unintentionally killing civilians. The share who said they didn’t know or who did not respond is not shown.) Credit: By Yuhan Liu.
American public support for Israel has significantly declined since the war in Gaza began two years ago. A recent New York Times poll reveals that a majority of Americans now oppose sending additional economic and military aid to Israel. Notably, for the first time since The Times began polling on this issue in 1998, more U.S. voters express sympathy with Palestinians than with Israel.
Furthermore, four in ten American voters now believe Israel is intentionally killing civilians in Gaza, a figure that has nearly doubled in approximately two years. This represents an extraordinary shift in public opinion, especially in a hyper-polarized era where major swings are rare.
Historically, Israel has been the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign aid since its establishment in 1948. However, the poll suggests a potential change in future policy: Almost seven in ten voters under 30 oppose further economic or military assistance to Israel. — Lisa Lerer, a Times national political correspondent.
What Moldova’s Election Says About Europe
Moldova, a nation of 2.4 million people (roughly the size of Manchester), holds an outsized strategic importance due to its geographical position as a former Soviet republic. The recent decisive victory of a pro-European Union party in its parliamentary elections, a contest widely expected to be neck-and-neck, was therefore profoundly consequential. As my colleague Jeanna Smialek aptly described it, this was “a values race — a referendum on Europe versus Russia.”
This outcome prompted a closer look at European sentiment towards the E.U. Following Britain’s departure, there were widespread fears of other countries potentially following suit. Yet, today, despite the rise of nationalist right-wing movements, nearly three in four E.U. citizens affirm that their country has benefited from membership. Even in Hungary, whose Prime Minister Viktor Orban is known for his anti-Brussels stance, this figure stands at 77 percent!
The economic advantages offered by the bloc are a major draw, with security also being a top priority, especially given Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and the perceived unreliability of the U.S. as a partner under President Trump. While counterexamples exist, such as Georgia, which has drifted toward Russia despite once being staunchly pro-Western, the strong vote of confidence in the E.U. in Moldova is striking and reflects a broader rally around the European flag.
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Other Global Headlines
- The U.S. government shut down for the first time since 2019 this morning after Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on a funding bill. Federal services will be disrupted and thousands of federal workers will be sent home without pay. However, functions considered essential — including health care services for older people — will continue to operate. Trump has threatened to use the closure to fire civil servants and cut federal programs.
- Trump said he would give Hamas “three or four days” to respond to his proposal for an end to the war in Gaza. The plan gives Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu almost everything he hoped for despite Israel’s growing isolation.
- The U.S. deported a planeload of Iranians back to Iran after the two governments made a deal.
- An earthquake struck the central Philippines yesterday, collapsing buildings and killing at least 53 people.
- A car bomb exploded outside the headquarters of a paramilitary force in Pakistan’s province of Balochistan, killing at least 10 people.
- China, which urged Cambodia and Thailand to end their brief war, was also selling weapons to Cambodia.
- South Africa’s ambassador to France was found dead outside a Paris hotel, in a case police are investigating as a possible suicide.
- A new A.I. start-up has lured researchers away from Meta and Google by promising to advance scientific discovery.
Sports Highlights
Football: Chelsea defeated Benfica 1-0 in the Champions League. All eyes were on José Mourinho, Benfica’s manager, as he returned to London to face his former club.
Baseball: Pitching in the postseason is perhaps the final frontier for Shohei Ohtani.
Around the World: Who they’re stereotyping in … Colombia
In Colombian slang, the first name "Brayan" is frequently used to describe a reckless, low-income delinquent. This stereotype drew significant social media attention last month after Colombia’s gaffe-prone president, Gustavo Petro, referred to men named Brayan as “vampire men” who leave women “pregnant and abandoned.”
Unsurprisingly, the country’s Brayans — a population exceeding 165,000 according to the national registry — were not pleased. An influencer named Brayan Mantilla rallied some of his fellow Brayans in a video, advocating for a National Brayan Day. (The name is a Hispanicized spelling of the English name Brian.)
“For years we have been unfairly singled out, turned into memes and denied the right to be taken seriously in our professional and personal lives,” Mantilla stated in his video. “We are not to blame for the name our parents gave us.” — Genevieve Glatsky, reporting from Bogotá
Recommendations
Watch: “All of You” is a weepy romance that succeeds thanks to its stars.
Glow up: The Times asked experts about a planet-friendly skin care routine.
Read: Malala Yousafzai’s memoir is among 27 new books coming this month.
Test yourself: Take the latest Flashback history quiz.
Recipe
Maraq misir is a hearty red lentil soup found in Somali cuisine. Also known as shurbo cadas, the soup gets its body from tomatoes, onions and carrots, and its deep flavor from a layered blend of spices and fresh cilantro leaves.
Where Is This?
Where is this gathering of golden retrievers?
- France
- Scotland
- Ireland
- England
Time to Play
Here are today’s Spelling Bee, Mini Crossword, Wordle and Sudoku. Find all our games here.
You’re done for today. See you tomorrow. — Katrin
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