Recently, outside of Japan, this flag has started to be seen in student movements in America, Europe and Asia.
What you should know
A different flag is being used in Zen-G's protests against social media bans, corruption and tax abuse.
The young generation gathered at Maitighar in Kathmandu are carrying not only posters but also a special flag. The flag with a skull and crossbones image on a black background has its own story.
This flag is taken from the Japanese anime and manga 'One Piece'. This flag identifies the ``Straw Hat Pirates'' group led by Monkey D. Luffy, the main character of this popular anime in Gen-G. This symbol of a hat on top of a skull is considered a symbol of freedom, rebellion and courage in anime . This is why the agitating youths are protesting by writing 'Zen G Napo Babies' on the flag. Nirjala Thapa, a participant in the
exhibition, says, "This shows that the next generation is rising up against nepotism and the injustice that only the powerful have the opportunity to have." Influenced by the 'Jolly Roger' flag used by
pirates, this flag has been slightly refined in One Piece as an introduction to various groups. The flag of One Piece has been used in protests or protest programs in various countries in connection with the Internet and pop-culture movements.
Recently, outside of Japan, this flag has started to be seen in student movements in America, Europe and Asia. Hong Kong's pro-democracy protest in 2019, Indonesia's 2025 protests against corrupt elites and housing allowances for parliamentarians were also protested by protesters carrying this flag in front of the parliament building.
