Sorahiko Torino

Gran Torino (グラントリノ) is a retired pro hero and a former teacher at U.A.

Appearance
Gran Torino is an extremely short, elderly man that has short hair and a beard.

His hero costume consists of a full body, monochrome suit along with a yellow cape, a belt with the letter "G" on it, he also wears very thick yellow gloves and boots, and a dark domino mask which resembles two diamond shapes.

In contrast with his now extremely short and rather shriveled appearance, he was quite tall and handsome in his younger days, having at least rivaled All Might's hero form in height.

Personality
Gran Torino appears to be just another senile old man at first, repeatedly asking Izuku what his name was despite being the one who nominated him for work experience training, and failing to remember it even after being told what it was, calling the boy "Toshinori". However, this proves to be a mere facade for trolling Izuku shortly after. Once he begin testing Izuku in earnest, he proves to have a very sharp mind, perceptive enough to figure out what Izuku is up to once the boy starts countering his moves.

Despite his eccentric antics, Gran Torino seems to be an intimidating man, as All Might was terrified over the idea of him once again taking his hero name in order to teach Izuku.

History
At some point in the past, Gran Torino was part of the U.A. Staff, All Might's homeroom teacher, and a close friend of his predecessor Nana Shimura. During a practical training session with All Might, Gran Torino made All Might throw up.

Vs. Hero Killer Arc
In his apartment, Gran Torino is on the floor with what is seemingly blood everywhere. Izuku Midoriya, the person Gran Torino nominated for, enters and is horrified to find the elderly retired Pro Hero on the floor seemingly dead. Gran Torino suddenly gets up, explaining to the boy that he was carrying a plate of sausages with ketchup on them but fell and got ketchup everywhere. Gran Torino asks the boy his name to which Izuku tells him his name. However, Gran Torino does not recall nominating him. He suddenly remembers, calling Izuku "Toshinori" in the process. As Izuku tries to leave the apartment to speak to All Might, Gran Torino asks Izuku to fight him with One For All, saying that he wants to see how well Izuku can handle One For All, wanting him to put his Hero costume on and fight him. Gran Torino once again forgets who Izuku is. Thinking that Gran Torino is playing games with him, Izuku declares to the elderly Hero that he needs to learn how to control his power as soon as possible since All Might is running out of time, telling the elderly Hero that he doesn't have time to be fooling around. Izuku tries to leave, but Gran Torino jumps and leaps in front of Izuku at an incredible speed, stopping Izuku from leaving. Gran Torino tells Izuku that since Izuku has a goal to learn how to control his power, then he has all the more reason to stay. The elderly Hero asks Izuku to use One For All and fight him.

Izuku puts on his Hero costume and faces Gran Torino in a mock battle. Gran Torino's incredible jumping speed allows him to strike Izuku without being countered. Izuku prepares to use One For All and predicts that Gran Torino will attack him from behind. Izuku's prediction turns out to be correct, allowing Izuku to get into position to hit Gran Torino, but Gran Torino pushes Izuku's arm out of the way. The mock battle ends with Gran Torino telling Izuku that he is too rigid and his awareness is disjointed, which are some reasons he is unable to use One For All properly. Gran Torino explains that Izuku's main problem is that he holds One For All in too high regard. Izuku asks Gran Torino to explain what he means, but the elderly Hero tells Izuku to figure that out for himself and goes to eat something. Gran Torino is outside and overhears Izuku finding the solution to his problem in controlling One For All. Gran Torino ponders that Izuku's thought process is flexible and commends All Might for finding an excellent successor.

In the morning, Izuku tells Gran Torino that he put what he discovered as practice but found it to be difficult to do so. Gran Torino replies that it is difficult due to just discovering how to use One For All more effectively and comments that All Might in his younger days used One For All like it was normal which is why All Might's way of guidance is wrong. Izuku becomes fascinated from hearing about All Might's younger days, to which Gran Torino replies that he made All Might spew during a practical training session, commenting that All Might could not handle the power emotionally due to being entrusted to it by a late friend. Izuku asks Gran Torino about All Might's predecessor, much to Gran Torino's surprise. Someone arrives with a delivery for Gran Torino and Izuku goes to fetch the delivery. Gran Torino ponders that All Might didn't tell Izuku about his predecessor. The delivery turns out to be a new microwave as Gran Torino broke his old microwave during his mock battle with Izuku. Gran Torino decides to have breakfast, telling Izuku to set up the new microwave. After doing so, Izuku heats up his and Gran Torino's breakfast which is taiyaki. Izuku serves Gran Torino his taiyaki, Gran Torino excitedly takes a bite of his taiyaki but it is frozen. Annoyed, Gran Torino goes to check the microwave, telling Izuku that he didn't put the microwave's plate in properly and as a result didn't turn and only a part of the taiyaki was heated. Gran Torino's comment causes Izuku to realize his next problem with One For All; that he has been using One For All on one body part and not on his whole body. Izuku activates One For All throughout his entire body with Gran Torino being impressed with Izuku's quick learning. Gran Torino asks if Izuku can move while using One For All throughout his body, to which Izuku replies that he is not sure. Gran Torino asks if he can test whether Izuku can move around while using One For All throughout his body. Izuku replies that he can test him.

Gran Torino tells Izuku that if he can move around while having One For All coursing through his body, then he will be drawing a clear line from how he was during the Sports Festival. Gran Torino says that their mock battle will be three minutes for starters. The mock battle begins and Gran Torino hits Izuku from behind, stopping the flow of One For All throughout Izuku's body. Gran Torino attacks Izuku from all directions while Izuku stands helplessly unable to counter. After falling to the ground, Izuku realizes that Gran Torino's speed is too fast for him to counter and decides to regroup. Izuku crawls under the couch and activates One For All throughout his body again. Gran Torino heads towards the couch, but suddenly, Izuku punches the couch away, sending it flying and stopping Gran Torino's attack. Now that One For All is flowing throughout his body, Izuku leaps into the air and nearly manages to hit Gran Torino, however, the elderly Hero manages to dodge in the nick of time. Gran Torino jumps forward and prepares to attack Izuku from behind, but Izuku dodges the elderly Hero's attempt by jumping into the air above him. Izuku, seeing that he is in a perfect position, sends a One For All enhanced punch at Gran Torino. However, the elderly Hero manages to dodge Izuku's attempt. Izuku starts falling down while Gran Torino leaps from the wall and strikes Izuku in his stomach, smacking Izuku down onto the ground and causing One For All to stop its flow.Gran Torino sees that three minutes are up and ends the mock battle for now. Izuku laments on his lack of ability to keep the activation of One For All throughout his body properly. However, Gran Torino compliments Izuku's intelligence. The elderly Hero notes to himself that Izuku has dramatically changed in such a short space of time and compliments Izuku for being able to graze him (a cut is shown on Gran Torino's face) even though he was using his own power earnestly. Gran Torino states to Izuku that he must get used to using One For throughout his body and informs him that they will continue training after breakfast. After breakfast, Gran Torino continues sparing with Izuku.

Izuku continues his training in gaining proper control of One For All with Gran Torino for two days. It is the third day at 5:00 PM, Izuku is on the floor injured due to his training. Gran Torino decides to end Izuku's training in One For All, not wanting Izuku to become stale due to fighting him all the time. Izuku protests but Gran Torino denies Izuku's request to continue training in One For All. Gran Torino declares that they will move on to phase two which is workplace experience. Izuku cleans himself up and puts on his Hero costume. Izuku and Gran Torino leave the apartment. Gran Torino tells Izuku that fighting him all the time will make him stale, saying that he wants Izuku to experience fighting in all types and kinds of situations which will give him greater training. Gran Torino tells Izuku that they will be going on an excursion and calls for a taxi. In the taxi, Gran Torino explains that highly populated areas are where crime is rife, causing Izuku to ask if they will be taking a train to Shinjuku to which Gran Torino says they will.

The taxi takes Izuku and Gran Torino to the train station where they board a train that will take them to Shinjuku. The train passes Hosu. On the train, Izuku tells Gran Torino that they will arrive at night, to which Gran Torino replies that they will. Gran Torino explains that many villains appear at night and thus they will be able to get experience more easily. Suddenly, the train experiences an emergency stop and a Pro Hero comes crashing into the train, much to Gran Torino's surprise. Immediately afterwards, a creature that looks similar to Noumu appears. Izuku tries to take action, but Gran Torino orders Izuku to stay put. Gran Torino propels forward from his seat and slams himself into the Noumu-like creature, smashing the Noumu-like creature and himself out of the train and into the air above Hosu.

Gran Torino smashes the Noumu-like creature into a small building. The Noumu-like creature slashes at Gran Torino but the elderly Hero jumps out of the way in time, dodging its attack. Gran Torino sees that the Noumu-like creature is about to attack two civilians. Gran Torino jumps at the Noumu-like creature in order to save the civilians. However, the Noumu-like creature is scorched by flames, forcing Gran Torino to stop his attack and back away. Endeavor, the Hero who scorched the creature, says that he hasn't made acquaintances with the elderly Hero, telling Gran Torino that he will deal with the Noumu-like creature.

Gran Torino tells Endeavor to be aware of the Noumu-like creature as it possesses multiple Quirks. Gran Torino propels himself at a great speed and smashes down into the Noumu-like creature, defeating it. Endeavor decides to let his sidekicks restrain the Noumu-like creature and tells Gran Torino to go to the address that he will give him.

Gran Torino goes to the address Endeavor gave him and encounters Izuku's group who have defeated the Hero Killer Stain. Gran Torino propels his foot into Izuku's face, annoyed that Izuku did not stay put. However, he is relieved that Izuku is alright. After Endeavor's sidekicks arrive, Gran Torino sees the winged Noumu-like creature above and commands everyone to duck. The winged Noumu-like creature grabs Izuku and prepares to fly away. Gran Torino prepares to propel himself into the air to rescue Izuku. However, Stain frees himself, defeats the winged Noumu-like creature and saves Izuku.

Endeavor arrives and prepares to attack Stain but Gran Torino orders Endeavor to wait. Stain's bandaged mask falls off, revealing his true face; that he has no nose, shocking Gran Torino. Stain declares that the only one who is allowed to kill him is All Might and unleashes a bloody malefic aura, making Gran Torino stay on his guard. Gran Torino becomes shocked that Stain is still standing despite losing consciousness.

The next day at the Hosu General Hospital, Gran Torino visits Izuku. He wants to speak to him but says that he has another visitor which is the Chief of the Hosu Police, Tsurugamae Kenji. Shouto becomes furious that Tsurugamae expected him, Izuku and Tenya to follow the rules and not engage Stain in combat because they were not qualified to do so even if death was certain. Gran Torino stops Shouto and asks him to listen to what the Hosu Chief of Police has to say.

The next day where Stain's defeat is published, Gran Torino speaks to All Might using a telephone. Gran Torino expresses his annoyance that his pay has been cut in half and his right to teach is revoked for half a year but says that considering the circumstances he doesn't mind. Gran Torino tells All Might that Izuku has improved drastically in using One For All, saying that Izuku movements are similar to his own; All Might apologizes profusely and thanks Gran Torino for his help, admitting that his teaching towards Izuku has been inadequate. Gran Torino says that he only became qualified as a teacher so that he could keep his promise to Shimura, All Might's predecessor. All Might thanks Gran Torino for everything as he wouldn't be the man he is today without him; Gran Torino yells that All Might forgot about him, to which All Might says that he never forgot. Gran Torino tells All Might that he is calling him about the encounter with the Hero Killer; he admits that Stain's strong ideology is similar to All Might's. Gran Torino says that if Stain's backstory is revealed to the public through the use of media, villainy will rise and the League of Villains will take credit as a group following Stain's ideology due to the connection between them which will cause delinquents to join the League of Villains. Gran Torino states that he believes that an old enemy will use Stain's backstory to remove obstacles in his path. Gran Torino hypothesizes that the old enemy, the villain who killed All Might's predecessor and gave All Might his scars, All For One (オール・フォー・ワン) has returned. All Might is in disbelief that "All For One" has returned, not wanting to believe it. Gran Torino advises All Might to reveal to Izuku everything about himself and One For All when the opportunity arises.

At the end of the week, workplace training comes to an end. Outside Gran Torino's apartment, Izuku thanks Gran Torino for looking after him and training him. Gran Torino advises Izuku to maintain his control and composure when using One For All and to not go over the 5% limit. Izuku says that he will comply. Izuku asks Gran Torino a question; why a strong Hero like him isn't known by society. Gran Torino replies that he wasn't interested in the Hero life and that the only reason he became certified as a Hero was for a certain goal and nothing else. Gran Torino tells Izuku to ask All Might about the whole story. As Izuku leaves, Gran Torino ponders that both All Might and Izuku are alike; having the same charisma. Gran Torino asks Izuku his name; Izuku thinks than Gran Torino went back to being senile, but realizes what he meant. Izuku tells Gran Torino that his name his Deku. Gran Torino smiles at the response, turns around and goes back into his apartment.

Hideout Raid Arc
Two days after the vanguard Action Squad capture Katsuki Bakugou, Gran Torino joins the Police Force and a number of Pro Heroes in the rescue operation to retrieve Katsuki. Before the infiltration begins. Gran Torino speaks with All Might, speculating that All For One has made his move. The Police Force and the Pro Heroes move out.

All Might breaks into the League of Villains' hideout and Kamui Woods uses his Lacquered Chains Prison to restrain the villains. Dabi attempts to break free of Kamui's wood with his flames, but Gran Torino's kick stops Dabi from using his flames.

Gran Torino asks Tomura the location of his teacher, All For One. However, Tomura does not answer and instead screams out his hatred for All Might. Suddenly, mysterious black liquid appears out of thin air with Noumus appearing out of the phenomenon which surprises the League of Villains and the Pro Heroes; Edgeshot notices that the black liquid is not Kurogiri’s doing since he is unconscious. More Noumus begin appearing from the masses of the mysterious black liquid. All Might grabs Katsuki. However, Katsuki begins dissolving into the black liquid and disappears, much to All Might’s fury. Gran Torino realizes that this is All For One's doing.

After All Might leaves to find Katsuki, Gran Torino also follows him. Gran Torino eventually reaches the battlefield and uses his Jet Quirk to blitz Spinner, Kenji and Mr. Compress, knocking them out. The elderly Hero is annoyed that Izuku has taken on All Might’s characteristics, while All Might himself is still surprised that Izuku and some of his fellow students came to rescue Katsuki. However, All Might is pleased with their intervention as he can now fight All For One without holding back. Izuku along with Eijirou, Tenya and Katsuki begin escaping from the battlefield. Gran Torino prepares to attack Tomura and Himiko.

Before Gran Torino can attack, Tomura and the Vanguard Action Squad are sucked into Kurogiri's Warp Gate and teleported away. All Might charges at All For One, but he uses his Transmission Quirk to teleport Gran Torino in front of him, using the elderly Hero as a human shield which causes Gran Torino to take All Might’s attack instead. All For One expresses his hatred for All Might as he is the one who brought down his comrades in the past and while he descended into darkness, All Might rose to the top as the Symbol of Peace. All For One prepares to fire his blast wave move, intending to blow away Gran Torino and All Might at the same time. However, All Might pulls Gran Torino away and uses Detroit Smash to cancel out All For One’s blast wave move.

All Might throws Gran Torino away for his own safety and punches All For One in the face, shattering his mask but it is not enough to defeat All For One, causing All Might's face to revert to its true form; Gran Torino calls out to All Might.

After All For One blasts All Might into the air, Gran Torino catches All Might and lands him to safety on the ground. Gran Torino advises All Might to not listen to All For One’s provocations and that due to All For One’s different Quirk usage and strategies; he should only attack when All For One lets his guard down.

As All Might activates One For All throughout the right side of his body, Gran Torino is surprised that All Might can still move. However, Gran Torino fears for the worst as All Might’s appearance indicates that he has reached his limit. Endeavor along with Edge Shot and Kamui Woods arrive and help out, with Endeavor and Edge Shot attacking All For One while Kamui Woods rescues Mount Lady, Best Jeanist and Gang Orca. Tiger rescues the trapped civilian and encourages All Might.

Tiger’s encouragement causes Gran Torino remember the past where he chatted with his old friend, Nana Shimura, who explained to him that Toshinori believed the crime did not fall because the people did not have any pillar or “Symbol” to put their faith in.

After All Might defeats All For One, Gran Torino goes to a hospital to have his wounds bandaged. At the hospital, All Might who is bandaged and recovering states that he can no longer use One For All and that although he can no longer be the Symbol of Peace, he still has things to do. Naomasa is in disbelief that Tomura Shigaraki is Nana Shimura’s grandson. On that topic, Gran Torino comments that Nana Shimura and her husband had a child. However, after her husband died due to heroics, Nana sent her son to a foster family so that he can stay away from the world of heroics. Nana then informed Gran Torino and Toshinori to not get involved with her son. All Might wishes to find Tomura, however, Gran Torino tells All Might that he is in no position to help Tomura since he has would not be able to see Tomura as a villain. Gran Torino and Naomasa decide that they will handle the search for Tomura. Gran Torino suggests to All Might that he must remain at U.A and carry out what he must still do; helping his successor, Izuku Midoriya.

Quirk and Abilities
Jet (ジェット Jetto): Gran Torino can shoot air from the propulsion boosters at the bottom of his feet, giving himself an incredible jumping ability and great speed. However, he can only use the air that he breathes to propel himself. Furthermore, Gran Torino cannot propel himself far into the sky.

Overall Abilities: While nothing is known about the full extent of his strength, All Might, a world famous and number 1 Hero, was intimidated by him. Though this may be due to a number of other reasons, as Gran Torino was All Might's teacher. During All Might's younger days, Gran Torino made All Might throw up. Gran Torino was able to defeat an Artificial Human by himself, whereas it took many Pro Heroes to defeat one. He defeated and knocked out Twice, Spinner and Kenji in a matter of seconds.

Enhanced Strength: Gran Torino is able to augment the strength of his punches and kicks thanks to his Quirk.

Immense Speed: Gran Torino has immense speed due to his Quirk.

Enhanced Durability: Gran Torino was able to propel himself with enough force to knock out a Noumu and destroy the ground under it without suffering any damage himself. He also remained conscious after taking a punch to the face from All Might.

Vs. Hero Killer Arc

 * Gran Torino vs. Nomu: Win

Nana Shimura
Gran Torino and Nana Shimura were close friends. He became a teacher in U.A. in order to train Toshinori solely because of a promise he had made to her. Even years after her death he still mourns her death and after learning that Tomura Shigaraki is her grandchild, he vowed to find him and save him.

Toshinori Yagi
Gran Torino taught Toshinori (better known as All Might) as a teacher in U.A. and knows Toshinori's secrets. He seems to have left Toshinori nervous from his past training with his mentor to the point he shook when telling him to Izuku. Also, he has a habit of calling All Might by his given name when they converse. He's shown to be very cautious of his pupil, going as far as to warn him of the possibility of All For One returning and telling him to tell Izuku everything about him and One For All to prepare him. He also expressed his pride in his pupil for defeating All For One a second time while being the Symbol of Peace one last time.

Izuku Midoriya
Gran Torino requested Izuku to be his sidekick so that he can teach Izuku about the One for All Quirk. Gran Torino and Izuku were off to a bad start when they first met, with Gran Torino putting up a facade of being senile and Izuku being disappointed with having to train with someone who was no longer functional. But right after Gran Torino dropped his facade and showing Izuku what he was capable of, Izuku started to gain respect for Gran Torino, politely calling the elderly Hero Mr. Torino. Gran Torino has shown to be impressed with Izuku, stating that All Might chose a fine successor.

All For One
Gran Torino holds a grudge against the user of All For One for murdering Nana Shimura, his close friend. He became part of the Hideout Raid Team in order to find more about All For One's whereabouts, joining Toshinori when he started fighting the villain.

Sir Nighteye
Since he knew about One For All and was All Might's sidekick, Nighteye is acquainted with All Might's mentor. Nighteye appears to be familiar with Gran Torino enough to perceive his signature erratic jumping that Izuku copied.

Gran Torino was present during All Might and Nighteye's falling out. He decided to use Izuku as a means of mediating the relationship between the two, showing he cares about Nighteye.

Trivia

 * Gran Torino's name may be a reference to the Grande Torino accident.


 * Gran Torino's name could also be a reference to the Ford motor car Gran Torino. Or it may refer to the movie which was named after this car, starring Clint Eastwood. In the film, Eastwood similarly serves as a mentor for a teenage boy, teaching him how to be a man.


 * Gran Torino's favourite food is taiyaki.
 * Gran Torino's likes oversleeping.
 * Kohei commented that Gran Torino emits a "Dagobah" feeling, a reference to Yoda from Star Wars. Yoda teaches Luke Skywalker and taught Obi-wan Kenobi, Luke's initial teacher. Similarly Gran Torino teaches Izuku and taught Toshinori, Izuku's initial teacher. Both characters also hide their true strength and pretend to be senile.

Quotes

 * (To Izuku Midoriya) "I have to get stronger quickly", you say. It's true. Time is not on your side, nor your enemies'. And they won't wait for you to get stronger."