Protests are making waves from Africa to Asia to the United States. While the issues driving them differ, the symbol being used is the same: a grinning skull and crossbones wearing a straw hat. This symbol comes from the anime One Piece and represents the Straw Hat Pirates.

The flag appeared when young people angry over the lavish lifestyles of elites brought down Nepal’s government a few months ago. It was visible during protests in Indonesia and the Philippines last year, and again as Madagascan youth marched over the past 10 days against chronic water and electricity shortages. It’s also being waved at protests over poor healthcare in Morocco and at demonstrations across the United States.

As a fan of the anime, I enjoy seeing the Straw Hat Pirates flag used this way, so I edited Monkey D. Luffy into some photos I captured at the No Kings Day protests in Seattle that featured the flag.

If you want to learn more about the parallels between One Piece and the current state of the world, here’s some additional context:

  • In One Piece, the Straw Hat Pirates fight tyrannical regimes and stand for freedom, mirroring real-world struggles against corruption and authoritarianism.
  • Historically, pirates defied governments; the flag symbolizes rejecting authority and charting one’s own course, which resonates with young people who feel unheard.
  • Leaderless movements rapidly share strategies and symbols online, allowing the flag to spread quickly and become a unifying, recognizable icon across borders.

We truly are in unprecedented times and at a pivotal point in the world and I hope small things like this that unite people will be what helps change things for the better.

I would love to see other people’s photos of One Piece that we can add to the post. Feel free to hit me up at @equalmotion or @_toyphotographers_ on Instagram and I will add it to the post!