After Vietnam and Nepal, now Mexico embraces One Piece as an expression of protest

One Piece by Eiichiro Oda is a one-of-a-kind series that has influenced global youth activism and transcended being just a fictional story. This time, this series has found itself in the streets of Mexico City and has come into the light of fans and other civilians. After Vietnam, Nepal, Indonesia, the Philippines, and France, this country has also officially become a part where people have used the iconic Straw Hat Crew's flag as a symbol to send out a statement.

Usually, when someone in real life is using this flag, they want to convey feelings of resistance, frustration, and a cry for help, and change is now needed more than ever. This event took place on Saturday when several people decided to march through the city of Mexico to protest against rising crime, corruption, and all the wrong things that had been plaguing their nation. It is interesting to witness how what began as an anime emblem has transformed into a universal statement.

The Straw Hat Pirate flag: From anime symbolism to global protest icon

Visual from the protest (Image credit: X)

The story of One Piece has always been more than just an adventure about pirates finding treasure. Eiichiro Oda, the creator of this series, has given a story that talks about justice, rebellion, and standing against the system if the authorities are using their powers for selfish causes. The Staw Hat Jolly Roger flag is a skull wearing the iconic hat that Luffy wears. This flag has come to symbolize freedom, resilience, and defiance. In Mexico, this symbolism resonated with young protesters who are exhausted by systemic corruption, rising violence, and a government they feel has failed to protect them.

During the protest in Mexico, there was one protester, Andres Massa, who carried the Straw Hat Flag with pride and was calling for a safer nation. This protest was important for him and countless others, and this One Piece flag communicated a message louder than any megaphone: we refuse to accept the status quo. The imagery has become so recognizable that it needs no translation.

Mexico’s protests echo a global pattern

Still from the anime (Image credit: Toei Animation)

The widespread use of the One Piece flag in protests has slowly started to gain momentum in Indonesia in 2023, where demonstrations against political corruption and democratic backsliding saw streets filled with the Straw Hat emblem. By 2025, Nepal saw the most dramatic adoption of the symbol, especially after the government banned social media platforms. Gen Z protesters there rallied by the thousands, waving Luffy’s flag as they demanded freedom of expression and transparency.

Those protests eventually contributed to the resignation of Nepal’s prime minister. Now it was time for Mexico to join this global wave. During the Mexico City demonstration, protesters clashed with police by using stones, fireworks, sticks, and even chains. The capital’s security secretary reported 120 injuries, most of them to police officers. Twenty people were arrested. Yet, despite the tensions, the Straw Hat flags were everywhere.

Why One Piece resonates as a protest symbol

Still from the One Piece anime (Image credit: Toei Animation)

For those who do not know why the Straw Hat Jolly Roger is so effective as a global symbol of resistance, it is because One Piece is a story built on opposing tyranny. Luffy and his crew are shown to always fight against corrupt governments, challenge unjust rulers, defend marginalized communities, and risk everything for their personal freedom. This is inspiring and has caused people in real life to learn from this and stand up. To many protesters across countries, carrying the Straw Hat flag signals:

They refuse to be silenced.
They stand against corruption and inequality.
They believe in a future where power belongs to the people.

That is why from Nepal to France, from Indonesia to Mexico, this One Piece emblem has become shorthand for youthful defiance.

How fiction is inspiring reality

Luffy, as seen in anime (Image credit: Toei Animation)

What started as a simple anime symbol has evolved into a global sign of protest. From Kathmandu to Mexico City, One Piece is no longer just a manga or anime; it’s a movement, a message, and a metaphor for freedom. But the end of what these leaders may overlook is that young protesters are connecting through shared stories, stories like One Piece that give them a language to express their anger, hopes, and vision for a better future.

Edited by Nisarga Kakade

Help Us Improve