TV-Series
Description
Franklin is a fictional character from the manga series Hunter x Hunter. He is a prominent member of the Phantom Troupe, a infamous gang of thieves. As one of the original members, his affiliation with the group dates back to their formation in Meteor City, the troubled hometown the Troupe seeks to protect and avenge. Franklin is a large, imposing man, standing 219 centimeters tall and weighing 225 kilograms, with a design that intentionally evokes the classic cinematic image of Frankenstein's monster. This is reflected in his scarred, stitched face, long drooping earlobes, and deep green or purple hair.
Despite his terrifying and monstrous appearance, Franklin has a calm, patient, and remarkably gentle personality. He is frequently described as a "gentle giant" who is deeply loyal to the Spider and his fellow members. He often acts as an unseen mediator and the voice of reason within the volatile group, using logic to defuse tensions and resolve arguments that could otherwise lead to infighting. His role is akin to an elder or a stabilizing force, particularly in contrast to the hot-headed members like Feitan, Phinks, and Nobunaga.
Franklin's primary motivation is the preservation and well-being of the Phantom Troupe as a whole. He places the collective survival of the Spider above individual interests, including his own and even that of the leader, Chrollo Lucilfer. When Chrollo is captured, the Troupe is split over whether to prioritize his rescue. Franklin is instrumental in settling the dispute by framing the chaos as a trap orchestrated by their enemy, convincing the group to wait and act rationally rather than rushing into a situation that could destroy them all. In later story arcs, this pragmatic approach to the Troupe's survival continues to define his actions.
Within the group, Franklin has no single defining rivalry but instead functions as a key support for several members. He is most frequently seen partnered with Shizuku, acting as her patient guardian and gently correcting her absent-minded behavior. He also works well with the strategic-minded Shalnark and Kortopi. While he is a founding member alongside Chrollo, Nobunaga, Uvogin, and Machi, his steady demeanor often puts him at odds with the more impulsive members, though he commands their respect. He showed little interest in Hisoka's power, quickly dismissing the magician's threat level and physically arguing with Nobunaga over the matter.
Franklin has shown some development as the manga has progressed. Early flashbacks reveal a dedicated but less central member of the group that would become the Troupe, joining in their amateur film productions. As the story moves into the Succession Contest arc, his strategic mind becomes more prominent. While his loyalty to the Spider is absolute, he is not blindly devoted to Chrollo's every whim. He proposes strategies for hunting the rogue member Hisoka that directly contradict Chrollo's own plan, hinting at a potential ideological schism between the members who prioritize the preservation of the Spider as a concept versus those who follow the leader's personal desires.
As a Nen user, Franklin is an Emitter. His primary combat ability is the Double Machine Gun. To use this technique, he has physically severed his own fingertips. While it is possible to fire Nen bullets without this modification, Franklin personally believes that the act of sacrificing his fingers makes the attack more powerful. This self-imposed restriction dramatically increases the destructive force of the bullets he fires from his ten digits. The result is a devastating, wide-area barrage of high-speed Nen projectiles that he can sustain almost indefinitely, capable of annihilating entire groups of enemies.
Despite his terrifying and monstrous appearance, Franklin has a calm, patient, and remarkably gentle personality. He is frequently described as a "gentle giant" who is deeply loyal to the Spider and his fellow members. He often acts as an unseen mediator and the voice of reason within the volatile group, using logic to defuse tensions and resolve arguments that could otherwise lead to infighting. His role is akin to an elder or a stabilizing force, particularly in contrast to the hot-headed members like Feitan, Phinks, and Nobunaga.
Franklin's primary motivation is the preservation and well-being of the Phantom Troupe as a whole. He places the collective survival of the Spider above individual interests, including his own and even that of the leader, Chrollo Lucilfer. When Chrollo is captured, the Troupe is split over whether to prioritize his rescue. Franklin is instrumental in settling the dispute by framing the chaos as a trap orchestrated by their enemy, convincing the group to wait and act rationally rather than rushing into a situation that could destroy them all. In later story arcs, this pragmatic approach to the Troupe's survival continues to define his actions.
Within the group, Franklin has no single defining rivalry but instead functions as a key support for several members. He is most frequently seen partnered with Shizuku, acting as her patient guardian and gently correcting her absent-minded behavior. He also works well with the strategic-minded Shalnark and Kortopi. While he is a founding member alongside Chrollo, Nobunaga, Uvogin, and Machi, his steady demeanor often puts him at odds with the more impulsive members, though he commands their respect. He showed little interest in Hisoka's power, quickly dismissing the magician's threat level and physically arguing with Nobunaga over the matter.
Franklin has shown some development as the manga has progressed. Early flashbacks reveal a dedicated but less central member of the group that would become the Troupe, joining in their amateur film productions. As the story moves into the Succession Contest arc, his strategic mind becomes more prominent. While his loyalty to the Spider is absolute, he is not blindly devoted to Chrollo's every whim. He proposes strategies for hunting the rogue member Hisoka that directly contradict Chrollo's own plan, hinting at a potential ideological schism between the members who prioritize the preservation of the Spider as a concept versus those who follow the leader's personal desires.
As a Nen user, Franklin is an Emitter. His primary combat ability is the Double Machine Gun. To use this technique, he has physically severed his own fingertips. While it is possible to fire Nen bullets without this modification, Franklin personally believes that the act of sacrificing his fingers makes the attack more powerful. This self-imposed restriction dramatically increases the destructive force of the bullets he fires from his ten digits. The result is a devastating, wide-area barrage of high-speed Nen projectiles that he can sustain almost indefinitely, capable of annihilating entire groups of enemies.