My Hero Academia has often had heroes survive battles that they really shouldn't have, which is generally in line with the series' idealistic tone. However, there's one case where it might've been better for the narrative had the hero in question died, and that's Gran Torino.

Gran Torino is introduced as All Might's former mentor, the Yoda to All Might's Obi-Wan. Gran Torino is actually heavily inspired by Yoda, down to his small stature and pretending to be senile. But where Yoda eventually dies in Star Wars (a major inspiration for My Hero Academia creator Kohei Horikoshi), Gran Torino actually ends up surviving the entire series, although that's largely because he suffers some major injuries that take him out of the fight before the Final War begins. But given the fact that he has little role to play in the rest of the series, why even have him survive at all?

Gran Torino's Death Could've Motivated Deku

Losing a Mentor May Have Explained Deku's Behavior Better

During the Paranormal Liberation War, Gran Torino is a major player, rescuing Bakugo and Deku and even facing off with Shigaraki directly, after he has possession of All for One. However, Gran Torino is so shaken by his own role in Shigaraki's existence that the villain is able to gain the upper hand, and punches all the way through Gran Torino's chest, causing an eruption of blood. Deku is horrified at the sight, and charges Shigaraki with vengeance. Shigaraki shrugs off Deku's attack and turns his attention to Aizawa, attempting to hit him with the Quirk-deleting bullet.

Gran Torino's injury is genuinely shocking, and it does seem for a moment as if he might be dead. However, it isn't long before it's revealed that Gran Torino is still alive, and he's eventually evacuated from the battlefield, where he receives medical care. Deku later visits him in the hospital and is given Gran Torino's yellow scarf, which he wears as part of his hero costume for a while. This directly precedes the "Dark Deku" era, when Deku leaves UA and operates independently for long periods of time.

While Gran Torino has a few more small appearances after being hospitalized, his role in the story is effectively done. It would've made more sense, narratively speaking, to kill Gran Torino in this scene. Deku's rage and subsequent beatdown of Shigaraki would be far more justified. It would even explain the sudden shift in Deku's personality that occurs after the Paranormal Liberation War, as the loss of Gran Torino could cause him to distance himself from others to protect them. Donning Gran Torino's scarf would be a far more poignant moment than it is as a result, too.

Gran Torino Dying at Shigaraki's Hands Makes Things Personal

Deku's Connection to Shigaraki is Too Tenuous

As it stands, Deku has very little personal reason to oppose Shigaraki. He does so because he considers himself a hero and sees Shigaraki as a villain, and because he feels it's his duty as the inheritor of One for All, but Shigaraki is far more tied to All Might, and even Gran Torino, than he is to Deku on a personal level. Had Shigaraki killed Gran Torino, that would have a direct impact on Deku, giving their conflict the personal connection that it so desperately needs. Suddenly, Deku wouldn't be so sure about trying to "save" Shigaraki, bringing his values into conflict with revenge.

That kind of inner turmoil might've benefited Deku's character a lot, because his steadfast determination to "save" Shigaraki, even when other characters like the vestige of Nana Shimura tell him to kill the villain, currently comes across as foolish and naive. If Deku was personally touched by Shigaraki's villainy, and ultimately decided he still wanted to help him anyway, that would be a substantially more powerful character moment than he received as a result. It would make it clear that Deku understood what a threat Shigaraki was, but that he chose his morals anyway.

Overall, My Hero Academia was very reluctant to kill off characters, with only a handful of major deaths taking place before the final battle, such as Midnight and Sir Nighteye. Gran Torino dying at Shigaraki's hands would've easily explained the sudden transition to "Dark Deku" well, and it would've made their conflict personal, rather than just that of a hero and villain. It would've been a moment akin to Luke watching Vader strike down Obi-Wan, and it's a shame that My Hero Academia never really got a moment as powerful as that.