‘One Piece’ Jolly Roger raised at Nepal protests against censorship and corruption

The skull-and-straw hat Jolly Roger from the Japanese anime One Piece has become an unexpected symbol of Nepal’s anti-government protests, as thousands of young demonstrators rally against censorship, corruption, and the leadership of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.

The protests began on September 8 after the government imposed a sweeping ban on major social media platforms, citing concerns over fraud and misinformation. Students and youth activists described the move as a direct attack on free expression. Demonstrations quickly spread across Kathmandu and other cities, with chants demanding the restoration of online platforms and action against corruption.

At least 19 people were killed and more than 400 were injured nationwide, according to hospital officials. The government revoked the social media ban late that night, but protests have continued with demands for Oli’s resignation.

Amid the protests, many carried a black flag depicting the instantly-recognisable grinning skull in a straw hat with crossed bones beneath it — the Jolly Roger of the Straw Hat Pirates from One Piece. The emblem has long been associated with themes of freedom and rebellion in the anime and manga series, and was also used prominently in Indonesia during anti-government protests last month.

In Indonesia, the flag was adopted during weeks of demonstrations ahead of the country’s Independence Day on August 17. The symbol was hoisted above vehicles, pinned on storefronts, and even flown in place of the national flag in some towns. Its widespread use drew condemnation from politicians, with one deputy house speaker calling it an “attempt to divide the nation,” and a senior aide to President Prabowo Subianto warning that it risked undermining the national flag itself.

In Nepal, the Jolly Roger now serves as a similar rallying point for students angry over censorship and corruption. Protesters say it signals a refusal to submit to government control. “#WAKEUPNEPAL” and “UNMUTE YOUR VOICE” read placards raised alongside the anime insignia.

Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece, first published in 1997, has become the best-selling manga in history and a global franchise spanning anime, films, and a Netflix hit. Beyond its pirate adventures, the story frames corrupt governments as nefarious villains and pirates as resisters, making the Jolly Roger a lasting emblem of defiance.

It’s protagonist Luffy and his crew of Straw Hat Pirates are often branded terrorists because they resist the authority of the World Government. For many protesters, that story resonates, and the flag reflects the cost of speaking out against systems that punish dissent. By carrying it, Nepal’s youth seem to be signaling that they see their struggle in the same light as a fight against control and corruption.