Gen Z Protesters Topple One More Government Using Anime Pirate Flag

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After a week of demonstrations organized by young people, Andry Rajoelina has been removed from his position as president of Madagascar.

On Tuesday, the military seized power shortly after parliament voted to remove the president from office. In a speech Monday night, the president explained he had left the country, fearing for his safety after a special military group sided with the protesters.

This is the second government to collapse in a little over a month due to protests led by young people. Last month, Nepal’s prime minister resigned following demonstrations sparked by a ban on social media.

From Indonesia to Peru, young people are taking to the streets to protest issues like corruption, unfairness, and difficult living situations. These demonstrations are happening in countries around the world, including the Philippines, East Timor, and Morocco, and are driven by widespread frustration.

A pirate flag from the anime *One Piece* has become a common symbol at recent protests. The flag, featuring a skull with a straw hat and crossbones, represents a group of characters in the show who fight against injustice. Protesters, particularly young people in Madagascar and other nations, feel a connection to these characters and their struggle.

According to Katsuya Izumi, a lecturer at Trinity College, young people connect with anime characters because these heroes are frequently portrayed as outsiders – individuals who are overlooked, misunderstood, or face discrimination within their communities.

Protests began in Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, on September 25th. The movement was primarily organized by Gen Z Madagascar, a group that uses social media to get its message out and doesn’t have traditional leaders. Their online symbol is based on the flag from the anime *One Piece*, but they’ve changed the straw hat to a satroka bucket hat – a traditional hat worn by the Betsileo people of Madagascar.

The protests escalated, with people demanding not just improved services, but also action against inequality, corruption, and a lack of accountability from those in power. Many protesters focused their criticism on Rajoelina, the 51-year-old who initially seized power through a military coup in 2009. Ranaivoharijao, a 26-year-old member of Gen Z from Madagascar, explained to reporters,

People are deeply frustrated. The president is prioritizing a cable car project in the capital city instead of addressing critical issues like widespread hunger, lack of clean water, and frequent power outages that are affecting most citizens.

Security forces used strong measures to control the protests, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. The United Nations reported a minimum of 22 people killed during the demonstrations, but the government challenges that figure.

Demonstrators mentioned taking inspiration from youth-led movements in places like Nepal and beyond. A flag featuring imagery from the popular manga series *One Piece* became a symbol that united protesters internationally, allowing them to share messages of resistance through a shared interest in pop culture.

Ranaivoharijao explained that young people feel a sense of relief with the new leadership, but they’re also taking a wait-and-see approach. He stated, “We’re hoping things improve – it’s hard to imagine things getting any worse than they were under Rajoelina.” He added that young people will continue to pay close attention and participate in conversations about the future.

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2025-10-18 12:45