Playing a Devil Fruit user in One Piece naturally invites one question: if given the choice, which power would you want in real life?
For David Dastmalchian, who portrays Mr. 3, the answer came with humor, and a surprisingly practical twist.
During our conversation, Dastmalchian joked about the appeal of explosive abilities like Mr. 5’s, imagining the absurd power of turning something tiny into a controlled blast. He was quick to clarify that the thought was playful, not violent, a nod to One Piece’s exaggerated, cartoon logic.
It’s cold and flu season in Los Angeles. In the country. In the world. And I’m not saying that I want to burn anything down, and I certainly don’t want violence, and I don’t want to encourage violence. But man, would it feel powerful to be able to pick a booger and flip it and have it explode. Yeah, that would be pretty freaking cool.
Why He’d Choose Luffy’s Power Instead
After the joke, Dastmalchian offered a more sincere answer: he’d take Monkey D. Luffy’s stretching ability. Not for combat. for parenting.
He explained that after putting his kids to bed upstairs, he often ends up downstairs working, only to hear a familiar request for water. In those moments, the idea of simply extending his arm across the house feels far more appealing than climbing the stairs again.
The example highlights what draws him to Luffy’s elasticity: everyday usefulness. Beyond epic battles, the Gum-Gum power offers convenience, flexibility, and playfulness. qualities that fit Luffy’s personality.
Dastmalchian also noted how Devil Fruits often reflect character traits. Mr. 3’s wax abilities mirror precision and control, while Luffy’s stretching represents adaptability and boundless reach.
He even pointed back to creator Eiichiro Oda for inspiration.
I think Oda himself said one time when he wanted to draw something, if a pencil was so far out of reach, he wanted that ability.
For Dastmalchian, that’s the charm of One Piece. Its powers don’t just fuel spectacle; they connect fantasy to ordinary life.
And if he ever traded wax for elasticity, it wouldn’t be for battlefield dominance. It would be to save himself a late-night trip upstairs.
