The phenomenon of the “One Piece” flag, specifically the Jolly Roger of the Straw Hat Pirates from the popular Japanese manga and anime series, being flown (“berkibar”) in Indonesia ahead of the country’s 80th Independence Day on August 17, 2025, has sparked significant discussion. Here are the key reasons behind this trend, based on recent reports and social media sentiment:
1. Symbol of Protest and Disappointment:
Many Indonesians, particularly younger generations, are raising the One Piece flag as a form of symbolic protest against the government. The flag, featuring a skull with a straw hat, represents freedom, resistance to oppression, and camaraderie in the One Piece narrative.
Citizens like Riki Hidayat from Jakarta and Rian from Depok have expressed feelings of disillusionment, stating that the flag symbolizes dissatisfaction with government policies perceived as unjust or failing to protect citizens’ rights.
Some see it as a critique of social, political, and economic issues, such as unfair laws, economic struggles, or unfulfilled promises by leaders.
[](https://www.tempo.co/politik/makna-bendera-one-piece-yang-ramai-dipasang-di-hut-ke-80-ri-2053723)[](https://voi.id/en/news/500903)[](https://www.cnnindonesia.com/hiburan/20250731143651-241-1257203/apa-arti-bendera-one-piece-yang-viral-jelang-17-agustus)
2. Pop Culture Expression:
The One Piece flag is deeply tied to the anime’s themes of adventure, freedom, and defiance against tyrannical authority (e.g., the World Government in the series). For fans, raising the flag is a way to express their love for the series while aligning its values with their own aspirations for justice and liberty.
The trend has gained traction due to the strong influence of anime culture among Indonesian youth, amplified by social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
[](https://www.suara.com/news/2025/07/31/191001/5-fakta-viral-bendera-one-piece-berkibar-jelang-hut-ri-ke-80-benarkah-simbol-perlawanan)
[](https://ruangbicara.co.id/ketika-bendera-bajak-laut-one-piece-berkibar-di-indonesia-antara-ekspresi-budaya-pop-dan-batasan-hukum/)
[](https://haijakarta.id/bocor-makna-bendera-one-piece-berkibar-jelang-hut-ri-ke-80-pakar-bisa-langgar-etika-kenegaraan/)
3. Viral Social Media Movement:
The phenomenon has spread rapidly through social media, with videos and photos showing the flag on homes, vehicles, and even trucks.
Accounts like @zonagrobogan and @viral.sekalii have shared content that fueled its popularity. Some analyses suggest the movement is organic, driven by netizens rather than organized groups, making it a grassroots expression of sentiment.
[](https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/articles/c62766edyx9o)[](https://haijakarta.id/bocor-makna-bendera-one-piece-berkibar-jelang-hut-ri-ke-80-pakar-bisa-langgar-etika-kenegaraan/)
4. Criticism of Government Response:
The flag’s prominence has drawn mixed reactions. Some officials, like Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, have labeled it a “systematic attempt” to divide national unity, citing intelligence reports.
Others, like PDI-P lawmaker Deddy Yevri Sitorus, view it as a legitimate form of democratic expression, preferable to violent protests.
This tension has further amplified the flag’s visibility, as fans and critics debate its implications.
[](https://jakartaglobe.id/news/one-piece-anime-flags-pose-threat-to-national-unity-says-deputy-speaker-dasco)[](https://mediaindonesia.com/politik-dan-hukum/797371/bendera-one-piece-dianggap-provokasi-imparsial-negara-ketakutan-berlebih)[](https://www.gelora.co/2025/08/ramai-bendera-one-peace-dasco-curiga.html)
5. Cultural and Symbolic Resonance:
In the One Piece universe, the Jolly Roger is a symbol of identity and resistance against oppressive forces. Indonesians raising the flag often draw parallels to their own frustrations with perceived governmental overreach or societal inequalities.
For instance, posts on X describe the flag as a symbol of resistance against “injustice” and a government that “no longer listens” to its people.
Legal and Ethical Context:
While there’s no explicit law banning the display of non-national flags like the One Piece Jolly Roger, Indonesian regulations (UU No. 24/2009) require the national flag (Merah Putih) to be flown higher and larger than any other flag when displayed together.
Violating this can lead to penalties, though the One Piece flag itself is not illegal. Some officials and experts have urged respect for national symbols, warning that the trend could be seen as undermining state dignity if not done carefully.
[](https://www.antaranews.com/berita/5008173/jangan-kibarkan-one-peace-ini-aturan-dan-etika-pengibaran-merah-putih)[](https://www.beritaja.com/jangan-kibarkan-one-peace-ini-aturan-dan-etika-pengibaran-merah-putih-beritaja-370337.html)[](https://en.antaranews.com/news/370577/indonesia-urged-to-honor-national-flag-amid-viral-one-piece-trend)
Conclusion:
The One Piece flag is being flown in Indonesia as a blend of pop culture fandom, social critique, and symbolic protest, particularly among youth disillusioned with current governance.
While it resonates as a creative expression of freedom, it has sparked controversy, with some viewing it as a threat to national unity and others as a valid form of dissent.
The trend’s viral nature on social media has made it a focal point of debate ahead of Indonesia’s Independence Day celebrations.[](https://tirto.id/bendera-one-piece-berkibar-jelang-hut-ri-ke-80-apa-filosofinya-he7x)[](https://www.sekitarbandung.com/fenomena-bendera-one-piece-hut-ri/)[](https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/articles/c62766edyx9o)
