The One Piece Straw Hat Jolly Roger has develop into the latest emblem of protest in the Philippines, following its appearances in Indonesia and Nepal. The anime’s skull-and-crossbones flag surfaced at mass rallies on September 21, a date that carries deep historic weight for Filipinos marking the anniversary of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s 1972 martial legislation declaration.
Tens of 1000’s crammed Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Manila for what organisers referred to as the “Trillion Peso March,” denouncing corruption linked to flood-control tasks. Demonstrators wore white, carried ribbons, and braved heavy rain whereas chanting for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to step down. Alongside the nationwide flag, many waved the Straw Hat Pirates’ Jolly Roger, a logo of resistance that first went viral in Indonesia earlier than spreading to Nepal and now the Philippines.
While the principle demonstration remained largely peaceable, tensions escalated close to the presidential palace. A youth-led march turned chaotic after a trailer truck was set ablaze, and masked protesters hurled stones at police. Authorities deployed water cannons to scatter the group.
September 21 is seared into Philippine historical past as the beginning of Marcos Sr.’s authoritarian rule, which noticed mass arrests, torture, and 1000’s killed earlier than his ouster in the 1986 People Power Revolution. Protest leaders intentionally selected the date to focus on what they are saying are echoes of that period in at this time’s governance.
The flag’s presence underscores a rising generational pattern throughout Asia: Gen Z protesters adopting One Piece’s imagery as shorthand for riot and unity. In Indonesia, it turned the banner for youth livid over elite privileges and army rule revisions. In Nepal, demonstrators angered by corruption, wealth flaunted by political dynasties, and a ban on social media platforms used it to topple a authorities.
At Manila’s Luneta Park, distributors offered straw hats in tribute to Monkey D. Luffy, the anime’s protagonist. “We relate to him because he keeps fighting for what’s right, even when the odds are against him,” stated Nico, a pupil protester.
One Piece’s pirate flag is now a worldwide protest icon. In France, it has appeared at rallies in opposition to finances cuts pushed by President Emmanuel Macron. Protest organisers say the image is particularly resonant for youthful crowds who grew up with One Piece and see it as a unifying name for “radical change.”
