Indonesia Faces Nationwide Protests Using One Piece Pirate Flags Ahead Independence Day

Ahead of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day, the Jolly Roger pirate flag from the Japanese anime One Piece has become a prominent symbol of protest, replacing the traditional national red-and-white flag in many locations. Supporters view the One Piece flag, featuring a skull with a straw hat, as an emblem of resistance against government injustice and a critique of the state of Indonesia’s democracy. However, government officials and lawmakers, including members of the House of Representatives, have condemned the display as unethical, provocative, and a threat to national unity, warning of potential criminal consequences under the country's flag laws. The government highlights ongoing patriotic programs under President Prabowo Subianto's administration to promote national unity and human resource development. Meanwhile, civil society groups argue that the flag-raising is a form of legitimate political expression and criticism, as long as the national flag is also respected. The phenomenon has gained international attention within anime communities, emphasizing the fictional nature of the flag and its symbolic use rather than any real act of rebellion or piracy.