In a world filled with explosive powers like the Gomu Gomu no Mi or the devastating Logia abilities, it’s easy to overlook quieter, more strategic Devil Fruits. But in One Piece, some of the most dangerous abilities aren’t the ones that destroy enemies; they’re the ones that manipulate them.
That’s exactly where Bentham (Bon Clay) stands out. His Devil Fruit, the Mane Mane no Mi, might not look impressive at first glance. It doesn’t grant super strength, elemental powers, or invincibility. Instead, it offers something far more dangerous. Perfect imitation.
And that ability is exactly why Bon Clay almost defeated Monkey D. Luffy not once, but twice.
Let’s break down why the Mane Mane no Mi is one of the most underrated powers in One Piece and why it’s far more broken than fans often realize.
What the Mane Mane no Mi Actually Does
At its core, the Mane Mane no Mi is a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that allows its user to transform into anyone they have touched.
This transformation is not superficial. Bon Clay can perfectly replicate a person’s face, voice, and physical body structure, making him indistinguishable from the original.
Even more dangerous is the memory aspect. Once he touches someone, he permanently “stores” their appearance and can switch between forms instantly.
However, the fruit has limitations. Bon Clay cannot copy abilities like other Devil Fruits, and he must physically touch someone to imitate them.
Despite these drawbacks, the fruit’s real strength lies in deception. It is not built for direct combat but for psychological warfare, infiltration, and manipulation. And in One Piece, that can be even more powerful than raw strength.
The First Time Bon Clay Nearly Beat Luffy
During the Alabasta arc, Bon Clay’s fight against Luffy is one of the earliest examples of how dangerous his ability truly is.
Instead of overpowering Luffy, Bon Clay uses confusion as his primary weapon. By transforming into Luffy himself, he creates hesitation and disrupts Luffy’s instincts.
This is crucial because Luffy relies heavily on intuition in battle. When that intuition is compromised, even a strong fighter like him becomes vulnerable.
Bon Clay also combines his transformations with Okama Kenpo, his unique martial art style. This allows him to switch identities mid-fight, keeping Luffy off balance and unable to predict his moves.
At multiple points in the fight, Luffy struggles not because Bon Clay is stronger, but because he cannot identify his opponent properly.
That alone shows how dangerous the Mane Mane no Mi is. It turns every fight into a mental battle, not just a physical one.
The Second Time: Psychological Warfare and Strategy
The real power of Bon Clay’s Devil Fruit becomes even clearer when you consider its broader implications beyond direct combat.
The Mane Mane no Mi can exploit emotional weaknesses. By transforming into someone important to an opponent, Bon Clay can force hesitation, guilt, or confusion.
We see hints of this during his interactions with the Straw Hats, especially when he uses forms like Nami to manipulate Sanji, who refuses to harm women.
This tactic alone could have defeated multiple crew members under the right circumstances.
Against Luffy, this strategy nearly works again. Luffy’s loyalty to his friends becomes a vulnerability. If Bon Clay had pushed this further, using emotional manipulation instead of direct combat, the outcome could have been very different.
This is why the Mane Mane no Mi is so dangerous. It weaponizes relationships, trust, and identity.
Why This Power Is More Dangerous Than It Looks
Most Devil Fruits in One Piece are judged by their combat ability. But the Mane Mane no Mi operates on a completely different level.
Its true strength lies in infiltration. Bon Clay can impersonate authority figures, allies, or enemies, gaining access to restricted areas or manipulating entire groups.
In fact, similar uses of the fruit have been shown to influence entire nations through deception and impersonation.
This means the fruit is not just dangerous in a fight. It is dangerous on a political and strategic level.
Imagine Bon Clay infiltrating a Marine base, impersonating a high-ranking officer, and issuing commands. The chaos alone could cripple entire operations.
That level of impact makes the Mane Mane no Mi arguably more dangerous than many high-tier combat abilities.
The Limitations That Keep It “Underrated”
Despite its potential, the Mane Mane no Mi is often overlooked because of its limitations.
It does not grant offensive power. Bon Clay cannot replicate Luffy’s rubber abilities or any other Devil Fruit techniques.
Additionally, the effectiveness of the fruit depends heavily on the user’s intelligence and creativity. A less skilled user would not be able to maximize its potential.
There is also the risk of exposure. If the real person appears or if the deception is uncovered, the advantage disappears instantly.
These weaknesses make the fruit situational, but in the right hands, it becomes incredibly powerful. And Bon Clay proves exactly that.
Why Bon Clay Makes This Power Shine
The reason the Mane Mane no Mi feels underrated is because of how it is used.
Bon Clay is not just a fighter. He is a performer, a strategist, and someone who understands human behavior. His personality complements the fruit perfectly.
He uses it for both combat and emotional manipulation, often blending humor with strategy to disarm his opponents.
More importantly, his role in arcs like Impel Down shows that his strength is not just physical. His loyalty, sacrifice, and quick thinking make him one of the most impactful side characters in the series.
Without Bon Clay, the Mane Mane no Mi would not feel nearly as powerful. He elevates the fruit through his creativity and adaptability.
There is a strong argument that the Mane Mane no Mi has not reached its full potential.
If awakened, the fruit could potentially expand its abilities beyond direct contact, allowing the user to mimic people without touching them or even affect multiple targets.
While this has not been confirmed, the concept aligns with how other Paramecia awakenings work in the series.
Even without awakening, the fruit already has immense strategic value. With the right user, it could rival some of the strongest abilities in One Piece.
