Sorahiko Torino,[3] also known by his hero name Gran Torino, is a retired Pro Hero, formerly a homeroom teacher at U.A. High School,[4] and a mentor to Toshinori Yagi and Izuku Midoriya.
Ever since the Kamino Incident, he continued assisting the Police Force in investigating the League of Villains, later Paranormal Liberation Front.
After the Paranormal Liberation War, he was hospitalized after sustaining injuries from Tomura Shigaraki.
Appearance#
Gran Torino is an extremely short, elderly man with heavy wrinkles and a scrawny build. He has a light complexion and brown eyes. His hair is grey and spiky, styled short with some bangs hanging forward and a trimmed beard.
His hero costume consists of a full-body monochrome[1] suit along with a yellow cape, a belt with the letter "G" on it, very thick yellow gloves and boots, and a dark domino mask which resembles two diamonds.[4]
In contrast with his now-extremely short and rather shriveled appearance, he was quite tall and handsome with a well-built physique in his younger days, having at least rivaled All Might's hero form in height. Gran Torino kept a similar appearance over his life down to his short grey hair; currently, he also wears a smaller version of the costume he wore in his younger years.
Personality#
Initially, Gran Torino appeared to be a senile old man who constantly forgot and asked for Izuku's name, often calling him "Toshinori".[5] Even though he was the one who sent Izuku the internship offer, he would often fail to recall Izuku's name for more than a moment. In reality, this proves to be nothing more than a façade for messing with his newfound protégé.
Gran Torino is actually a very intelligent man with an incredibly broad perception. He proved to be a far more capable teacher to Izuku in a mere week than All Might did in almost a year. He was able to read Izuku's progress and personality, just by watching him at the U.A. Sports Festival, and indirectly taught him the first step to mastering One For All with a simple parallel between Izuku and his favorite dessert (taiyaki).[6] His sharp mind is also evidenced when he was able to accurately predict All For One's strategy based solely on the media covering the aftermath of Hero Killer: Stain.[7]
As a mentor, Gran Torino appears to be very hard on his students. Every time All Might speaks about or to Gran Torino, he starts freaking out and shakes profusely because of his memories of their brutal training.[8][7] Gran Torino also never hesitates to yell, berate, or hit Izuku for his mistakes.[9][10][11] He also extends this to Toshinori who he reprimands for not visiting him on occasion and tells him to keep his focus when he fights his enemy All For One for the last time. Nevertheless, he does not hesitate to praise his students when they deserve it such as when he complimented Izuku for his gradual skill with his power and when he complimented All Might's victory over All For One.
Abilities#
Overall Abilities: Despite his old age, Gran Torino is a very powerful combatant. He was the one who taught the world's number one hero All Might how to fight and use his Quirk. He is an excellent teacher and was wise enough to teach Izuku on how to better use One For All as well.
Gran Torino was strong enough to defeat a low-tier Nomu with little aid from Endeavor, something several Pro Heroes could not manage to do. He was also capable of knocking out Dabi, Spinner, Magne, and Twice in an instant using single attacks. Gran Torino was also present during at least two of the battles against All For One, and proved instrumental in helping All Might defeat the Symbol of Fear in their rematch. Gran Torino was even able to defeat and arrest Kurogiri while fighting off Gigantomachia.
During the Paranormal Liberation War, Gran Torino proved capable of fighting alongside the current number one Hero Endeavor, in the battle against Tomura Shigaraki.
- Enhanced Strength: Gran Torino possesses great physical strength, as he was able to knock out capable Villains with quick blows. In his prime, he struck All Might so hard that the future Symbol of Peace vomited. This memory haunted the world's strongest hero for the rest of his life. Even in his old age, Gran Torino was also able to carry All Might's muscular form, as well as completely outclass Izuku in terms of strength. He was also able to fracture the pavement when he attacked a low-tier Nomu in Hosu.
- Enhanced Durability: Gran Torino is quite durable, as he was able to remain conscious despite taking a direct punch from All Might. He also was at the center of the battle between All Might and All For One and escaped with only minor injuries. He was able to survive Tomura Shigaraki punching him through the chest, though he was incapacitated for the rest of the battle.
Keen Intellect: Gran Torino taught both All Might and Izuku how to use One For All, despite never possessing the Quirk himself. In just under two days, Gran Torino taught Izuku what All Might had been trying to teach him for almost a year. Gran Torino was able to give All Might solid advice on how to defeat All For One as well.
Quirk#
Jet: Sorahiko's Quirk allows him to shoot jets of air from the holes on the soles of his feet. These air jets give him incredible speed and kicking power, as well as the ability to fly short distances quickly and with ease. The air he uses for his Quirk comes from his breathing.
Despite the flight capabilities his Quirk grants him, Gran Torino cannot propel himself too far into the sky, meaning that his ability is not unlimited despite its outward strength.
- Overwhelming Speed: Gran Torino is one of the fastest heroes in the world. All Might claims that Gran Torino can move faster than the eye can see and Izuku confirmed this during his fight with the speedy old man. Gran Torino's speed is so great that he can knock someone out before they ever even see him. He is also able to easily evade attacks from enhanced creatures like the Nomu.
Ultimate Moves#
- Jet V8 Wild Speed[3]
Stats#
Equipment#
Holed Boots: Gran Torino wears boots with a number of holes through their soles. This allows him to use his Quirk without his footwear getting in the way.
Battles & Events#
History Nana Shimura vs. All For One Vs. Hero Killer Arc Hero Agency Internships Izuku Midoriya vs. Gran Torino Izuku Midoriya vs. Gran Torino: Rematch Hosu Incident Gran Torino & Endeavor vs. Nomu Hideout Raid Arc Kamino Incident Hideout Raid Team vs. League of Villains Katsuki Bakugo vs. League of Villains All Might vs. All For One: Rematch Shie Hassaikai Arc Gran Torino vs. Kurogiri Paranormal Liberation War Arc Paranormal Liberation War Jaku Hospital Raid Hospital Raid Team vs. High-Ends Hospital Raid Team & Trainees vs. Tomura Shigaraki
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Trivia#
- Gran Torino's name is most likely a reference to the Clint Eastwood film of the same name. In the film, Eastwood portrays the role of an elderly mentor for a teenage boy, teaching him how to be a man.
- The film also heavily features a Ford Torino car, connecting his name to his speedy Quirk.
- Gran Torino's power to launch and bounce himself at high speeds at enemies is similar to that of Bellamy from One Piece (Manga) using his Bane Bane no Mi.
- Gran Torino's favorite food is taiyaki, and he enjoys oversleeping.
- According to Gran Torino's Ultra Analysis profile:
- His taste for silly gags has rubbed off on All Might, explaining the more comical aspects of the latter's behavior.
- With age, most people who now witness his pranks are conflicted about whether they should laugh or be concerned for the man's health.
- His personality is described as a "carrot-and-stick mentality".
- Kohei Horikoshi has 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.
- Horikoshi confirmed in a post-SDCC interview that Gran Torino was intentionally based off of Yoda, and that his feet and Quirk were designed after shower heads, and how water came out of them.
- Gran Torino's Hero costume appears to have been inspired by videogame character Mega Man, featuring large, round limb pieces on top a bodysuit. Coincidentally, Horikoshi inserted a direct reference to the series in Gran Torino's debut arc during Chapter 48.
- Gran Torino's design may also reference Proto Man, another character from that series and Mega Man's older brother. Proto Man shares many features with Mega Man, but also wears a unique dark visor and flowing yellow scarf, which Gran Torino's mask and cape resemble to an extent.
- Gran Torino shares his birthday with Anna Scervino.
- His young Japanese voice actor, Masamichi Kitada, also voices Juzo Honenuki, Tensei Ida, and Kamui Woods.
Quotes#
- (To Izuku Midoriya) "'I have to get stronger quickly', you say. It's true. Time is not on your side — nor on your enemies'. And they won't wait for you to get stronger."[12]
- (Inner monologue) "The greatest hero, huh... He doesn't look or act at all like you, but... I still see him on you, Toshinori. Nana chose you... and you chose this boy... so let's both help him make it, Toshinori. So that by the time you're past your prime... this kid... his name... will be hailed as the symbol of peace..."[13]