Summary
Kekkei Genkai were once rare bloodline techniques in theNarutoseries, capable of granting users unimaginable powers. While the former is no longer true considering thevast expanse of Kekkei Genkaipopulating the franchise, the latter still holds true for these novel abilities. One such Kekkei Genkai is Magnet Release, an extremely versatile technique that endows users with the power to manipulate the elements through electromagnetic forces.
Magnet Release differs from the usual Kekkei Genkai blueprint due to its versatility, as each user of this power has a unique variant. From the Third Kazekage’s Iron Sandto Naruto’s Magnetic Rasengan, viewers have been acquainted with several variations of the Kekkei Genkai, with every user bringing something new to the table. While there’s little exposition about the true extent of this power, the details of every user’s unique Magnet Release reveals the intricacies of this Kekkei Genkai.
The Roots of Magnet Release
Unlike most Kekkei Genkai, Magnet Release isn’t exactlya true bloodline technique, as this power is not exclusive to one specific clan, nor is it inherited. While it was never directly specified, it can be incurred that Magnet Release is a result of marrying Wind Style and Earth Style nature transformations. However, merely possessing these two nature transformations isn’t the only prerequisite to unlock this Kekkei Genkai, as some sort of genetic affinity is necessary to utilize this power.
Magnet Release is one of the few powersrooted in Tailed Beasts, with the Third Kazekage acquiring this power by modeling Shukaku’s natural Magnet Release ability. Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, later gained this power under the Third’s tutelage, though his version of Magnet Release resulted in a unique variant that gave him control over Gold Dust. It was later revealed that Gaara also possessed Magnet Release, though it still remains unclear whether that power is a result of being Shukaku’s Jinchuriki or an inherited power from Rasa.
The Intricate Workings of Magnet Release
Almost every single technique within theNarutoseries manipulates chakra as an offensive or defensive weapon. However, Magnet Release is the only exception to this preset power system, as this Kekkei Genkai utilizes electromagnetic forces to manipulate various elements. Instead of directly using Chakra as an offensive tool, Magnet Release makes use of environmental elements as tools and weapons.
The only other example of such power isthe Deva Path’s gravitational powers, though that exception is a result of the god-like Rinnegan. This leaves Magnet Release as the only other power that is capable of manipulating external forces instead of merely using Chakra. This gives users of Magnet Release an impressive advantage, and essentially grants them a tool that serves the dual purpose of a shield and a weapon.
Since Magnet Release grants users the ability to control electromagnetic fields, wielders of this power could, theoretically, create impenetrable force fields or nullify ninja tools entirely. However, only Naruto has been witnessed utilizing the electromagnetic forces of Magnet Release in his techniques. This indicates that such applications are possible, but the Kekkei Genkai itself was never explored enough in the series to receive such a version.
Magnet Release Comes in Various Forms
The Naruto series has presented several iterations of Magnet Release, either in the form of element manipulation or imbuing its electromagnetic forces into existing techniques. While Magnet Release originates from the Hidden Sand’s research on the One-Tails’ powers, the most raw usage of this Kekkei Genkai can be found inthe Hidden Cloud Village. Toroi was a shinobi from the Cloud Village who possessed this power, but instead of extracting minerals from the ground, he used Magnet Release to magnetize his special shuriken to manipulate them at will.
However, the strongest users of Magnet Release can all be found within the Hidden Sand,with the Third Kazekagebeing the forebearer of this power. His version of Magnet Release involved magnetizing Iron within the ground to form his own Iron Sand, modeled directly after Shukaku’s magnetic sand techniques. Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, followed the Third’s footsteps and learned Magnet Release, though his version revolved around magnetizing gold to form his own unique Gold Dust.
Gaara’s Magnet Release adds another novelty to this Kekkei Genkai’s variations. Instead of magnetizing a specific element such as iron or gold, Gaara magnetizes generic minerals within the sand to control at will. It wasn’t released until later on that Gaara’s sand control was a result of Magnet Release, but the nature of his sand techniques deems this a logical conclusion. Lastly, Naruto adds his own touch to this diversified Kekkei Genkai by infusing Magnet Release’s electromagnetic forces into his Rasengan.This allows his Rasenganto immobilize enemies caught in its wake with an inward pull, thereby turning the Rasengan into a more effective technique.
