In a surprising twist, the famous Japanese manga "One Piece" becomes a symbol of political criticism in Indonesia, as highlighted in Japanese news media. Activists have started using the series' iconic "pirate flag" imagery to voice out their disapproval of the current government situation igniting discussions on freedom of speech. The date and exact location were not specified, highlighting a nationwide trend rather than a localized event.
In Japan, the issue is widely discussed as it involves a beloved manga, "One Piece". Japanese society values freedom of speech and this incident indicates the global influence of Japanese pop culture. However, the use of manga as political symbols is not a common practice in Japan, hence it has attracted significant attention.
In the US or EU, the use of popular culture for political messaging is not unfamiliar. This ranges from using superheroes as symbols of resisting authority to adopting TV show slogans. The current incident in Indonesia reflects a global trend where symbols of popular culture cross borders and are adopted for political causes.