Title: Beyond the 'grand line' : One piece’s radical reimagining of global politics
Author: Mr.Titipong Mahattanasin
Year: 2024
Keywords: One Piece, Global Politics, Radical Imagination, International Relations, Power, Freedom, Justice, Environmental Justice, Protest Movements
Theme: Post-development
Advisor(s): Soravis Jayanama
The full thesis available here.
Abstract: This thesis explores how the long-running Japanese manga One Piece functions as a radical political archive that reflects, critiques, and reimagines global politics across three historical eras. Drawing from the fields of International Relations and Development Studies, this research analyzes how the manga stages fictional yet deeply resonant struggles over power, freedom, and justice. Through close readings of key narrative arcs—Alabasta, Skypiea, Enies Lobby, Marineford, Dressrosa, and Wano—this study situates One Piece within real-world political contexts including post–Cold War liberal triumphalism, the global War on Terror, and the protest movements of the 2010s. The thesis draws upon theoretical insights from thinkers such as Bleiker, Weldes and Rowley while integrating contemporary critiques from Collette Shade, Vincent Bevins and Tom Rockmore. In tracing how characters navigate imperialism, authoritarianism, neoliberal exploitation, and environmental injustice, the thesis reveals how One Piece fosters a form of radical imagination that challenges the “End of History” narrative. Ultimately, this research contributes to the study of political storytelling by demonstrating how global popular culture can animate theoretical debate and expand the imaginative boundaries of political discourse