With a yellow straw hat and a wicked toothy grin, he bobs among crowds of protesting youngsters from Asia to Africa to Latin America and Europe -- a smirking reproach to governments everywhere.

Born in the cult manga series "One Piece", the cartoon skull and crossbones has in recent weeks become the flag of anti-establishment demonstrations worldwide.

An emblem of the hero Luffy -- fighter of cruel powers, liberator of the oppressed -- in the best-selling comic books dating to 1997, the stylised pirate flag is a rallying sign for Gen Z, the generation of 20-somethings who have come of age since.

"I grew up with One Piece, like the vast majority of Gen Z, so it has become a symbol for us," said Kai, a 26-year-old protester who joined recent youth demos in Madagascar.

For Kai -- who iden

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