Can I vent about something in your inbox since I dont have any zorobin shipper friends 😅
“Robin is too old for Zoro/she’s like his mom” arguments pmo because 1) if the genders were reversed no one would be blinking an eye at a 30 year old man and 21 year old woman being shipped together, 2) Robin in no way acts like a mother to Zoro, in fact with Zoro’s personality and the way he interacts with her you could argue HE’S the one acting paternalistic towards her, and Zoro looks and acts WAY older than a 21 year old
Hi! Thanks for the question!
Age "arguments" arise when someone has nothing better to say. I'm not really into trying to prove things to people who don't read the manga or watch the anime (I don't advise you either). Especially since Oda himself has repeatedly debunked them with canonical examples — Rayleigh x Shakky (14 years difference), Ripley x Gaban (Ripley is older, but it's not yet clear by how much), Ginny x Kuma (she's 4 years older than Kuma). Even the giant Yarul likes "older women," and he's 408 years old! Also, there are those who "ship" Zoro with Tashigi, Perona, and Hiyori, all of whom are older than Zoro — 23, 25, and 26 years old, respectively. Doesn't bother anyone, right? The final point is made by actor Mackenyu Arata, who plays Zoro in the OPLA: he's married to a woman seven years older than him, so let these people explain the "age difference" to him :)
Of course, Robin was never a "mother" to Zoro(in the classical sense). Besides, she knows he's the most mature and sensible of the crew. Remember, for example, the arrival at Zou (chapter 804) — Robin asks Zoro what they should do next, not Franky, who's older than Zoro, not Law, who's also older than Zoro. Besides, Law as a Captain is on the same level as Luffy (even though he was the one who told them to sail to Zou, so it would have been more logical to ask him). She trusts Zoro's "mature" decisions.In fact, as those I've referenced in my posts have noted, Robin only acts "motherly" toward Chopper and the other children she meets (Momo, Toko, Bonney).
I disagree with you that Zoro acts "fatherly" towards Robin; perhaps we simply understand the meaning differently. Is he protecting her? Yes. Is he caring for her? Of course. (Is he in love with her? Absolutely! xD) I believe the same principle applies here: Zoro acts "fatherly" only with Chopper, as has been shown more than once. He also gives Luffy instructions, but they are of a different nature: He teaches Chopper how to be a "Man" and gives Luffy advice on how to be a "Captain".
A few more words about "mother." In some descriptions of Japanese relationships, you can find the idea that a good wife partially fulfills a "maternal" function for her husband: she cares for his well-being; she creates a sense of home and security; she listens and supports him; she accepts his weaknesses.
BUT it's important to understand that this doesn't mean the wife literally becomes her husband's mother. This refers to emotional care and acceptance. Sometimes it's even described as a combination of three qualities of a wife: A mother — cares; A friend or partner — understands; A lover — maintains a romantic connection.
Robin knows, trusts, respects, understands, and cares for Zoro, and vice versa. And that's how it should be in an ideal marriage.
I thought I'd keep my answer short, but it turned out as usual… But I hope you're satisfied with my opinion on this matter and weren't put off by this "wall of text." Thank you again! Oh, do the answers get published as a post too? D: Then, I'll add some hashtags… I hope you'll forgive me for leaving it unedited~
