Ypu know I moticed that when it comes to Robin ships, even excluding Frobin, there is still plenty of other f/m pairings (mostly with zoro, law, brook, jinbei and even crocodile) and also a few ifdecently popular f/f pairings (with nami, vivi, koala and hancock too)
But I have never seen a popular ship with Franky and a character that isn't Robin. Especially an f/m ship. He is sometimes shipped with men like Jinbei or Brook and also Iceburg by a lesser portion of the fandom, but other women? Zero. (Maybe Lilith recently, I have seen some people liking that pair)
Is this just because Robin is more popular than Franky or did the fandom decide that the hard boiled man can't be with any other woman? I'm not critisizing anyone, to each their own, but it's kinda weird to me
You're raising an interesting question. Thank you for that, Anon!
I never really thought too much about it even though I think it was in the back of my mind. I can't give you the correct answer because I too can only guess... But let's look at it together, shall we? This will be long...
So, this is specifically about why Franky is not shipped with other women. Let's focus on that.
I think it's a combination of reasons, some of which you already pointed out, anon!
As you said, Franky is not as popular as all the other strawhats. If I remember correctly, Franky was the least popular Strawhat in the latest poll for the 1000th chapter. And I looked it up, he ranked overall 28th. And indeed the lowest of the Strawhats (Brook being 26th).
This had been the case since he appeared. I guess part is that his design is unusual (not typically attractive - which is debatable) and he is brash, shows emotions and his antics get reactions from the younger boys but never from the women. This makes him "childish", "unserious" and "annoying".
At the same time, Franky is shown as someone who is a big brother or acts like a dad (depending on how you want to see it but certainly a person who cares for younger people, takes them under his wing and supports them. Good example the whole Franky Family). Someone you can trust and gives good advice.
So, he is a grown up who gives off, cool older relative vibes. Even Nami recognizes that:
("Does someone have a runny nose?" lmao... I've written about how different Franky acts towards Nami compared to Robin and why that means Nami is like a sister and Robin more like a love interest... no idea where I put that...)
I did see ship-art for Franky/Nami. It's far and in between. There are three fanfictions tagged for them on Ao3. And it's interesting because Nami is the only other female character that Franky has a connection to. And to be fair... even their interactions are rare.
Because one other big problem I see is the... well... lack of women? Which women are there interacting with Franky? If you really boil it down? There is Robin, there is Nami, then yes there is Lilith but she is only around for... a short time now and Franky did not seem to show any interest in her. One would think that they had at least stuff to talk about but... ???? They didn't even really interact (I've heard people go "oh finally FRobins will have to admit defeat because now there is Lilith." I haven't seen much of support for them? There are 9 fics on Ao3) (Also not to open another can of words but is Lillith really a woman if she is actually Vegapunk and his personality has overwritten hers)? There was Carrot but I don't really remember them interacting either? Plus she is younger than Chopper, so really a teenager. Was there somone else in Wano he interacted with? Any women? I don't remember so even if... it did not really stick. How about Dressrosa? There was a whole bunch of young girls swooning over Franky and Senior Pink. He did kiss Kyuuin in Dressrosa. So there was an interaction. But then he instantly said "I don't care for puppy love of young girls." (paraphrased). Senior Pink agreed. The women loved it. I was scared and laughed about the weirdness. Mozu and Kiwi? He also calls them sisters and picked them from the streets so they would be safe. I did see fanarts of them but they are even rarer than the ones with Nami.
So, if people need some serious interactions to become interested in a ship (I know it's not true for everyone), there is nothing to work with? Franky does not interact with women? If I am wrong, please, anyone, tell me I'm wrong! I have read the recent arcs only once. I might have forgotten things.
And additionally there are not many women anyway (the strawhat crew with 10 people has 2 women; 31 vice admirals, 4 are women (currently and there are no women in higher ranks); 7 emporers of the sea, 1 is a woman (current and former); 12 warlords of the sea, 1 is a woman (from all the people named once one of the seven warlords); etc.)! But that is a reocurring issue with Shonen Mangas. Boys want to read about boys. With some eyecandy scattered here and there.
If you have more male/male bonding moments and interactions, one could become more invested in their dynamics and possible romance than the male/female interaction that was portrayed like it was there to just be there. ... idk I see Ninjas before my inner eye... I wonder why?
So, there is no material to work with, there is nothing to ignite a spark to make someone burn seriously for a ship. And then there is a lack of content and if there is a lack of content, is there a reason to get invested in the ship? Of course, as I said there are nine fanfictions of Franky/Lilith on Ao3. So there is a very small market. Maybe it will change one day... but who knows. Not with that track record!
So, let's collect our theories. Tl;dr
Franky is not popular (not as "attractive" as other male characters, characterisation and design are unusual -> less interest in exploring his character)
Franky is often portrayed as an older relative and protector and less typically romantic -> less reason to explore him in that context
Franky stated he is not interested in young women (and most women they meet are young) -> lack of potential love interests
There is a lack of Franky interacting with women (beside Robin) -> lack of potential love interests
Other fandoms are really small and hard to start -> Little reason to explore those dynamics
And all that combined would start to explain why there are no other Franky/female character ships out there.
ESPECIALLY since we had almost TWO whole arcs of Franky and Robin doing nothing but interacting and working with EACH OTHER. And them continuing to be adorable and supportive and just THEM.
Nothing will every compare to that. So, one last point
FRobin is just too strong, everything else will be swept away
If I forgot anything... please everyone pipe in. I am curious if I might have forgotten something?