Days before the march called by Generation Z for November 15 in different cities of Mexico, One symbol stands out among those called to participate: the Straw Hat pirate flag, inspired by anime “One Piece”. For many young people, that smiling skull in a straw hat is not only a reference to otaku culture, but an emblem of freedom, unity and resistance.
Originating from the manga and anime created by Eiichirō Oda, the flag—designed in the story by Usopp based on a sketch by Monkey D. Luffy—represents the identity of the protagonist crew, a group of pirates who rebel against the World Government to defend their independence and that of other peoples. Over time, this logo transcended the screens and became an icon shared by millions of young people who grew up with the series.
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In the “One Piece” universe, the Straw Hats play a new generation of pirates who roam islands and forge alliances with other young crews, such as those of Traffic D. Water Law and Kid Eustas.
This narrative of struggle, camaraderie and search for justice seems to have found an echo in real life: international reports indicate that the flag has appeared in protests in Nepal, Indonesia and France, where protesters adopt it as a symbol of identity and social discontent.
For young people preparing to march in Mexico, the use of this emblem supposedly does not obey specific political affinities, rather, it functions as a common visual language within a generation that takes references from anime to express shared ideals and concerns.. On this occasion, discontent has intensified after the approval of the new tax on video games and, recently, due to the murder of Carlos Manzo, former mayor of Uruapan, Michoacán.
The flag was already present in a first demonstration on November 8 in Mexico City, and everything indicates that it will fly again this November 15.
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