You know people were unironically arguing Franky vs Paulie even after that color spread?
"Franky is meant to get all this shine since he's only building the boat for the crew. Just like Tom, Franky is just meant to be good friends with the crew"
"Paulie will do something at the end of the arc. Just wait until the ending"
"Franky only wants to build a boat. His dream is done right after he's done making it this arc"
I caught up to one piece when the straw hats were in the fishman island flashback arrive and when straw hats where they were entering punk hazard. Wow listening some retrospective on YouTube I can see why some people thought originally at the time they believe Paulie would be one who join the crew instead of Franky. However, Franky kind of prove himself as valuable asset for the strawhats success instead of Paulie.
1. He had common enemy which is the world government
3. He was extremely helpful against defeating members of cp9
4. protecting robin
5. Being a voice of reason for both Ussop and Robin in their situation
6. As well building ship for them.
7. Franky was also a cyborg
The moment he started talk about that speech while protecting robin (having her PTSD). I knew this guy would be next straw-hat
Franky's Decision (Dub) - YouTube
8. He also had wanted poster after enies lobby
9. He was outcast
10. he has a good person with sense Honer.
11. He also showcase ability that made very different from other strawhats and galley-la.
Paulie did not add much beside his rope abilities. Throughout the water 7 and enies lobby arc he was put on supportive role rather than main character status. Heck him questioning Luffy about challenging the world government and waiting until morning to rescue robin did not feel like future nakama status for me. Plus, his one-page backstory. It just did not fit well at the time were strawhats were like.
I am glad that Franky end up joining instead Paulie.
I have always said, Carrot is kind like paulie in this arc.
Carrot share a lot similarities to paulie.
I think reason some people thought Paulie at the time was going join the crew
1. he is shipwright
2. he has cool rope abilities
3. luffy and him had common enemy
4. Luffy him had 1v1 conversation just about defeating the cp9
5. Fans thought he would get shiny moment enies lobby that would put Franky ashamed
6. We would get an Indepth backstory surrounding his character
7. Paulie also save the main strawhats (Luffy,zoro, Nami and Chopper) from Aqua Laguna
Sounds remarkable similar what's going on with Carrot right now
except Carrot enemies have already been defeat by nonstrawhats
Carrot did not have a 1v1 conversation with Luffy about her personal intention or goals
Carrot never questions Luffy's opinion about anything. The only thing she does snuggle on him.