In Indonesia, the pirate flag known as the Jolly Roger from the Japanese manga series "One Piece" has become a prominent symbol of political protest ahead of the country's 80th Independence Day on August 17, 2025. Students, activists, truck drivers, fishermen, and even some civil servants have displayed the flag to express dissent against government policies and perceived authoritarianism. The movement has drawn attention from international media outlets such as Reuters and the BBC. Despite concerns over legal repercussions and government warnings labeling the flag's display as provocative, some officials, including President Prabowo Subianto, have permitted its use as a form of cultural expression. However, tensions have arisen, including incidents of violence and government crackdowns. The Indonesian Ministry of Law has stated that the One Piece flag should not be flown alongside the national flag, the Merah Putih. Concurrently, the animated film "Merah Putih: One For All," produced by Perfiki Kreasindo with a reported budget of Rp 6.7 billion, is set to premiere on August 14, 2025, just before Independence Day. The film has sparked controversy over its animation quality and allegations of government funding, with director Hanung Bramantyo publicly questioning the timing of its release amid a crowded slate of Indonesian films.
Bendera tengkorak bertopi jerami “one piece” beredar jelang hari kemerdekaan. Tak hanya sekedar kritik, pemerintah memandang hal ini sebagai bentuk provokasi. Benarkah gerakan ini ditunggangi atau justru hanya sekedar ekspresi di tengah demokrasi? Saksikan #DipoInvestigasi, https://t.co/cwtwewl67q
Menteri Hukum soal Bendera “One Piece”: Harusnya Tak Satu Tiang dengan Merah Putih 👉 Baca selengkapnya https://t.co/WPsqoTX8Gt | #Bendera #OnePiece https://t.co/euwM5rynzB
Sutradara Hanung Bramantyo ikut menyoroti fenomena kemunculan film animasi Merah Putih: One For All di layar bioskop. Melalui unggahan Instagram Story, suami Zaskia Adya Mecca itu mempertanyakan alasan film tersebut bisa mendapatkan jadwal tayang di bulan Agustus. Baca https://t.co/zFTQuUGp3B