From manga panel to protest banner: Luffy’s Straw Hat Jolly Roger flew above crowds during the nationwide “No Kings” actions in the United States—an unexpected pop-culture emblem for a youth-driven, pro-democracy movement.
What happened
During the mass “No Kings Day” demonstrations—held across all 50 states and thousands of U.S. cities—protesters were seen waving the Straw Hat Pirates’ Jolly Roger, the skull-and-bones with a straw hat made famous by One Piece. Organizers described the day as one of the largest coordinated protest efforts in recent U.S. history, with millions participating, and multiple outlets documented the creative mix of signs and symbols on display.
Why that flag?
In One Piece, the Straw Hat flag represents a crew that routinely topples tyrants and frees oppressed communities—imagery that resonates with demonstrators rallying against what they view as authoritarian overreach. Media explainers have tracked a sharp rise in the flag’s appearance at protests worldwide in 2025, noting that its message travels easily across borders and online fandoms.
Receipts from the ground
Coverage and social posts from the protest wave—spanning New York, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, and hundreds of smaller cities—captured instances of the Jolly Roger amid U.S. flags, homemade banners, and themed costumes. Roundups and on-the-ground reports emphasized the movement’s nonviolent framing and the diverse coalition of attendees.
A broader 2025 trend
The Straw Hat emblem has become a global protest shorthand this year, appearing in demonstrations across Asia and Africa as well as the U.S., according to recent features and news write-ups. That broader context helps explain why the symbol surfaced so readily in American marches: it was already circulating in international protest culture before “No Kings” coalesced.
Fandom energy, real-world politics
For anime fans, the sight of Luffy’s flag at a civic action is less surprising than it looks. One Piece’s central mythos—defiance of unjust rulers, found-family solidarity, and liberation arcs—maps neatly onto democratic protest messaging. (The Straw Hat Jolly Roger itself is an established cultural icon with easily recognizable silhouette and colors.)
