Ice Release (氷遁, Hyōton, Viz: Ice Style) is the advanced nature kekkei genkai of the Yuki clan, and allows the users to combine wind and water-based chakra to create and manipulate ice, forming it into various structures. When the user releases their chakra, the surrounding vicinity becomes could enough to cause snow to fall.[1] The ice Haku could create was extremely resistant to fire-based attacks, only melting slightly when coming into contact with Sasuke's flames.
As shown by Haku, as a child, he could also manipulate the form of nearby water.[2] Additionally, any nearby water is an advantage, as the user can simply freeze that water to create ice. Using his special ability, Haku developed the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, which allowed him to create any number of floating mirrors made of ice to use as a shield or trap an opponent.
Without the Kekkei Genkai
In the first Naruto movie, several of the Yukigakure ninja also had the ability to use Ice Release techniques. However, this was not the product of a similar kekkei genkai, as demonstrated by Kakashi's ability to replicate one of these techniques with his Sharingan. In addition, unlike Haku, who could create his own ice, the Ice Release techniques used in the movie required the users to manipulate already existing ice and seems to melt at a much easier level than the ones Haku used. Another notable difference is that they can also manipulate snow. The Yukigakure ninja most commonly used the Dog hand seal to do this. Dotō Kazahana, in particular, manipulated a special type of snow that is black in colour.
Other ninjas can use Ice release only if they have a bigger number than just one and if they have wind and water elements.They are doing one jutsu per person one having one element of the release and one having the other then they unite the jutsus they made making one strong ice release technique.
In the Land of Vegetables Arc, the main villain Renga also used a technique using ice. He could crystallise the water vapour around him into ice so transparent that it would be practically invisible to the naked eye. However, this technique was never mentioned to be an Ice Release technique.
In the sixth Naruto OVA, The Cross Roads, Kajika's technique is actually classified as a Water Release, but produces ice.
Trivia
- The Viz manga translation for Ice Release was initially translated as "Haku's Secret Arts of Water". Later on in the series, with the revealing of new kekkei genkai such as the Blaze Release, etc., the Viz manga translation was given as "Ice Style" to maintain uniformity.
