
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!





Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
We traveled almost 400 miles to get popcorn from this ninja machine, but do we regret it?【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Umamusume anime cosplayers make news in U.S. for their pro football fandom【Video】
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
We traveled almost 400 miles to get popcorn from this ninja machine, but do we regret it?【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Umamusume anime cosplayers make news in U.S. for their pro football fandom【Video】
Giant 3-D anime boobs appear on giant 3-D video billboards in Japan【Video】
Racing into our stomachs this winter are motorcycle fuel tank-shaped bento
‘Josou’ specialist Naoko Tachibana opens crossdressing photography retrospective in Tokyo【Photos】
Domino’s Pizza Japan offers dinner and a show with new toppings and a Hatsune Miku mini-concert
Studio Ghibli unveils new fluffy purses from films like My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Japanese vending machine serves up unique drinks at four Tokyo train stations
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Giant 3-D anime boobs appear on giant 3-D video billboards in Japan【Video】
Racing into our stomachs this winter are motorcycle fuel tank-shaped bento
‘Josou’ specialist Naoko Tachibana opens crossdressing photography retrospective in Tokyo【Photos】
Domino’s Pizza Japan offers dinner and a show with new toppings and a Hatsune Miku mini-concert
Studio Ghibli unveils new fluffy purses from films like My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away
Krispy Kreme adds doughnut burgers to its menu in Japan
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
The top 9 sakura cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan that you should know about
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Creator of Japan’s first pole dancing manga talks with our pole-dancing reporter【Interview】
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
What’s that emoji? Let’s take a look at Japanese culture with these texting emoticons!【Part 1】
Leave a Reply