
It’s still a prototype, but it’s garnered enough interest that it might become a full product!
One of the most fascinating parts about the world of Harry Potter is the many unique, creatures. Nifflers, boggarts, bowtruckles…the endless list makes you wish you could explore them all!
One creature that made a brief but memorable appearance in the books and the films–or was it more a plant?–was the mandrake plant. The roots of these plants, which look like ugly little people, would come out of the ground screaming in the world of Harry Potter, and if you didn’t protect yourself, a fully grown one could kill you.
Mandrakes, or “mandragoras”, first appeared in the above scene in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, when Harry and his friends learned about the baby forms in their Herbology lesson. Luckily, baby mandrakes can’t kill you, with only enough power in their voice to knock you out, but the scene when Harry, Ron, and Hermione have to repot the baby mandrakes is probably one that sits in many fans’ memories.
If you liked that scene, or are a Harry Potter fan in general, then you’ll like what two-person design company 2ji (“Niji”) has created: a baby mandrake-shaped crime prevention alarm!
Similar to the kinds of alarms you might see attached to the school bags of young children in Japan, this baby mandrake alarm would attach to your bag or belt with a carabiner. When encountering danger, all you have to do is rip it out from its pot–maintaining a firm grip on the base of the leaves, of course–and it will release its piercing cry and let everyone know that you need help.
The sound comes from a personal alarm that hides inside the mandrake’s body. When the mandrake is removed from the pot, a pin pulls out that causes the alarm to go off. When it’s returned to the pot, the pin is replaced, turning off the alarm.
The design is obviously much cuter than the plant that appears in Harry Potter, but the concept is so much fun, we can’t help but want one. Just look at its little surprised, screaming face!
Unfortunately, the baby mandrake crime alarm is just a prototype and isn’t available for sale. However, when the company shared the design on their official Twitter account (@niji_2oclock), the tweet went viral, receiving over 212,000 likes. Many parents said they’d be happy to have their children carry these around, especially teenagers who no longer want to have the obvious kind hanging from their bags.
マンドラゴラの防犯ブザーをつくりました。
— 企画デザイン2時 (@niji_2oclock) December 20, 2021
引っこ抜くと、内蔵されたブザーのピンが抜けて、マンドラゴラの魂のシャウトが響き渡ります。 pic.twitter.com/O3QCWX42Mr
Since so many Twitter users asked where they can buy the mandrake root alarm, 2ji is now considering moving into full production if the demand is high enough. If you want one, you’ll definitely want to go to their Twitter and add your voice to the support!
2ji has made a lot of other really adorable products, including the adorable hamster monaka we introduced last week. Both of 2ji’s designers have worked with Felissimo You+More!, which as you may know has produced lots of cute and zany products with an astounding amount of detail, including jellyfish umbrellas and natto train pass cases. Check out their website for all of 2ji’s products, and feel free to follow their Twitter if you want to keep updated!
Source: Twitter/@niji_2oclock, Note/Niji_Inc
Images: Twitter/@niji_2oclock (1, 2)
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!





Japanese Shinkansen welcomes overnight guests for one night during summer festival
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
A roadside hair salon stall in China made us Norway’s Haaland for US$1, and warmed out hearts too
McDonald’s Japan goes viral for Samurai Mac burger hack
Japanese Shinkansen welcomes overnight guests for one night during summer festival
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
A roadside hair salon stall in China made us Norway’s Haaland for US$1, and warmed out hearts too
McDonald’s Japan goes viral for Samurai Mac burger hack
Japanese government okays plan to create a backup capital city
Starbucks Japan brings back the Caramel Waffle, but is it as good as it used to be?
Pikachu and Ditto Pokémon desserts at Baskin-Robbins Japan look AND feel like their inspirations
Studio Ghibli Laputa figure looks like it’s really flying thanks to cool visual trick
How are you supposed to wash a Japanese futon duvet at the laundromat?
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Brand new Shinkansen bullet train unveiled in Japan… but it won’t carry passengers
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japanese government okays plan to create a backup capital city
Starbucks Japan brings back the Caramel Waffle, but is it as good as it used to be?
Pikachu and Ditto Pokémon desserts at Baskin-Robbins Japan look AND feel like their inspirations
Studio Ghibli Laputa figure looks like it’s really flying thanks to cool visual trick
How are you supposed to wash a Japanese futon duvet at the laundromat?
Family Mart’s new Famima flagship in Tokyo has a hidden gem that most visitors miss
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Why is Taco Bell failing in Japan, even as the country falls in love with tacos?
Japan’s expensive “phantom” melon is so exquisite it sells out in just 12 hours
61-year-old Kyoto man arrested for playing guitar and radio too loudly for seven years
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Japanese Coo-Che becomes a viral sensation, and everyone wants a taste
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?