An example of a Earth Release technique.
Earth Release (土遁) is one of the five basic elemental nature transformation techniques. It allows the user to manipulate and mould the earth around them in its various forms, making it one of the more versatile elemental natures. Earth Release techniques vary greatly, from creating mud to reshaping the earth they stand on to create barriers or spears. The fact that this allows the shinobi to (under most circumstances) alter the terrain that they are fighting on makes the element a fantastic one for surprising the opponent. When there is no earth around, the user can also create their own, though this takes up more chakra than using pre-existing earth. An affinity to Earth Release appears to be common in shinobi of Iwagakure, the Land of Earth's hidden village.