My Hero Academia Made A HUGE Mistake
In the world of My Hero Academia, it’s common for heroes to survive battles that seem unlikely, aligning with the show’s optimistic theme. However, there’s one instance where it could have strengthened the story if the specific hero, Gran Torino, had perished instead.
In a different phrasing, Gran Torino is portrayed as the past mentor of All Might, serving as his Yoda-like figure. Notably, Gran Torino’s character bears a resemblance to Yoda, from his small stature to his feigned senility. However, unlike Yoda who meets his end in Star Wars (a significant influence on My Hero Academia creator Kohei Horikoshi), Gran Torino manages to survive throughout the entire series. This longevity is primarily due to severe injuries that prevent him from actively participating in battles before the Final War commences. One may wonder why he was kept alive, given his limited role in the subsequent events of the series.
Gran Torino’s Death Could’ve Motivated Deku
Losing a Mentor May Have Explained Deku’s Behavior Better
In the battle known as the Paranormal Liberation War, Gran Torino plays a crucial role, saving Bakugo and Deku, and even confronting Shigaraki directly when he’s in control of All for One. However, witnessing his own part in Shigaraki’s creation leaves Gran Torino shaken, allowing the villain to gain the advantage. Shigaraki then delivers a devastating punch that pierces straight through Gran Torino’s chest, causing a gush of blood. This violent sight fills Deku with rage and he charges at Shigaraki, seeking revenge. Unfazed, Shigaraki dismisses Deku’s attack and instead aims his attention towards Aizawa, firing the quirk-erasing bullet in his direction.
Gran Torino sustains an unexpectedly severe injury that momentarily gives the impression of his demise. Yet, it turns out he’s miraculously alive, and is subsequently taken away from the combat zone to receive necessary medical attention. Later on, Deku goes to see him in the hospital and receives Gran Torino’s iconic yellow scarf, which Deku incorporates into his hero costume for a while. This event sets the stage for the “Dark Deku” phase, where Deku spends extended periods away from UA, acting independently.
In the story, Gran Torino’s character arc seems to reach its conclusion following his hospitalization, and it might have been more impactful, from a narrative standpoint, if he had passed away in that scene. This event could provide a stronger motivation for Deku’s actions against Shigaraki, making his anger and subsequent beatdown feel more justified. Additionally, it would offer an explanation for the change in Deku’s personality post-Paranormal Liberation War, as he might withdraw from others to shield them from harm after losing Gran Torino. Wearing Gran Torino’s scarf in such a context would carry a deeper emotional resonance compared to its current significance.
Gran Torino Dying at Shigaraki’s Hands Makes Things Personal
Deku’s Connection to Shigaraki is Too Tenuous
In its current state, Deku finds it hard to challenge Shigaraki due to personal reasons. However, he opposes him because of his hero identity and perception of Shigaraki as a villain. Yet, Shigaraki has deeper connections with All Might and even Gran Torino than with Deku on a personal level. If Shigaraki were to harm Gran Torino, it would have a profound effect on Deku, creating a deeply personal reason for their confrontation. This could cause Deku’s desire to rescue Shigaraki to clash with his thirst for revenge.
Redefining Deku’s internal conflict could significantly enhance his character development. If Deku, instead of being blindly determined to “save” Shigaraki despite warnings from characters like Nana Shimura, was personally moved by Shigaraki’s villainy but chose to help him nonetheless, it would create a much more impactful scene. This choice would demonstrate that Deku recognizes the danger Shigaraki poses, yet chooses to adhere to his moral compass.
In essence, the series My Hero Academia was typically hesitant to eliminate characters, with only a few significant deaths occurring prior to the climactic fight, such as Midnight and Sir Nighteye. The death of Gran Torino at Shigaraki’s hands could have effectively portrayed the transformation of “Dark Deku” and given their confrontation a more personal touch, instead of just a clash between a hero and a villain. It would have been a poignant moment similar to Luke witnessing Vader slay Obi-Wan, which is unfortunate since My Hero Academia never quite achieved a moment as impactful as that one.
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2025-04-26 00:48