The magical world of Harry Potter was a first look into a universe of magic for many who grew up in the early 2000s. Of course, even folks who are older and younger than that demographic know about the Boy Who Lived and his intricate and magical school. Yet magic has been around and synonymous with humanity since the start of recorded history. With this, many movies and TV shows about the traditions and adventures of witches and wizards have been made and adored throughout the years. Anime is no exception.
With series and movies like Little Witch Academia and Kiki's Delivery Service, it is easy to recognize a witch by their broomstick and bevy of interesting remedy ingredients. One particular component is shown and used in Episode 1 of Flying Witch that also has a prominent role in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: the Mandrake. Here's what the Mandrake is, what its real-life counterpart is like, and the similarities in its portrayal between Flying Witch and Harry Potter.
The Mandrake is indeed a real plant, named as such due to its ginormous, humanoid-looking roots. It was once considered the most important plant of the Mediterranean region, and was Europe's most significant medicinal plant in the Middle Ages. Historically, the Mandrake was used for many things such as infertility and insomnia -- and was even used to predict the future. Nowadays, it has been proven that this plant is toxic, and although it is a powerful narcotic, sedative and hallucinogen, it can easily lead to death.
It is closely related to the infamously deadly nightshade family. Because of the Mandrake's rich history, many folklore traditions and superstitions are associated with it. In the Middle Ages, it was believed this plant could emit screams that can kill a person or make them go mad. Supposedly, the only way it can be uprooted at night is by a rope attached to a dog. This toxic plant folktale can also be seen in the works of Shakespeare and the Holy Bible.
In Flying Witch, Makoto suddenly stops walking with her friend and classmate Nao after detecting a Mandrake through her sense of smell. It is said that the mandrake smells of strong red apple, but she describes the scent as acrid. Makoto warns Nao to cover her ears as she pulls it out, and sure enough, the creepy-looking Mandrake starts to scream. A montage of everyone in the nearby vicinity hearing it is shown, but thankfully no one dies or loses their mind here.
Considering Flying Witch is a healing and relaxing anime, or iyashikei series, this creative license is understandable. The Mandrake eventually stops screaming and groans and writhes like an old man in Makoto's hands as she describes how lethal it is -- and how useful it is for healing properties after a good detox. Nao is visibly disturbed and rejects Makoto's intended "gift" to symbolize their friendship.
In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Hermione states that the Mandrake is used to return people to their original state after they've been cursed or transfigured, and that its cry is fatal to anyone who hears it. Luckily, the students in Herbology class are dealing with seedlings who have not fully matured.
Professor Sprout explains that while seedlings cannot kill, they can knock someone out for several hours. The class also had earmuffs to muffle the Mandrake's cries; the only person who was really affected was Neville Longbottom, who fainted where he stood after the Herbology professor lamented that he's been "neglecting his earmuffs."
With the long and rich traditional history of the Mandrake plant, there is little wonder that it pops up in both Flying Witch and the Harry Potter universe. Although they don't actually cry when uprooted, they still can certainly kill. If they are ever encountered in the wild, one must always handle them with care.
