By Alex Muñoz Natale
munoa78@mail.broward.edu
On September 8th, 2025, the streets of Nepal ignited into protest as the government began a ban on social media. The unrest, led by Gen Z, featured one unique symbol of liberty: the Jolly Roger, or pirate flag, of the Straw Hat pirates. Coming from the silly and cartoonish Japanese manga One Piece, it would seem unusual to see this emblem in an unstable situation like this one. So then, how has this piece of entertainment become a representation of freedom and rebellion?
The story began in December 1997, when writer and illustrator Eiichiro Oda published the manga in the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine. It quickly grew in popularity throughout Japan and the rest of the world, overtaking giant franchises such as Dragon Ball to become the best-selling manga globally. Later, in 1999, an animated adaptation was created, following the same story of Luffy and his pirate crew. Since then, the anime has grown to over 1100 episodes in length, attracting worldwide admiration and popularity.
Globally, the manga has become a massive sensation. As the best-selling manga of all time, with over 570 million copies sold, One Piece has grown into other aspects of society. The series has had multiple collaborations with household companies, ranging from Adidas and Gucci to Netflix and Roblox. Additionally, these crossovers have even expanded to sports teams. The Straw Hats have teamed up with the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Red Sox, and Borussia Dortmund, among many.
In Japan, One Piece has become an integral part of pop culture and entertainment. For more than two decades, it has found success in the country’s extremely competitive manga industry, establishing itself as a long-lasting phenomenon. Most citizens, regardless of age or background, can recognize the series. They see it everywhere, either as toys and merchandise, media and entertainment, or even fashion and tourism. Unlike other titles, One Piece has reached a higher level of societal influence, being praised by documentaries, news outlets, and educational networks for its complexity.
This comes from the touching social narratives intertwined within the storyline. In 1,100+ chapters, the story has evolved from a simple pirate tale into a complex, overarching journey of nuanced characters and dramatic excitement. The plot explores a variety of universal concepts, including friendship and camaraderie; resilience and struggle; freedom and justice; and tying them back to past chapters and arcs. Amongst these themes, the fight for liberty, freedom, and justice stands out. Characters bravely fight the oppressive World Government, which maintains a tyrannical chokehold over the planet through corruption and oppression, inspiring citizens to do the same in real life.
Throughout Asia, One Piece has been used as a symbol for rebellion. With its appearance in protests around Nepal, Indonesia, and the Philippines, it has become an emblem that transcends language; a sign that change is possible.