Mary and The Witch's Flower

Studio Ponoc launched its debut feature with this hand-drawn fantasy that channels the spirit of Studio Ghibli while carving out its own identity. Director Hiromasa Yonebayashi brings Mary Stewart's 1971 novel The Little Broomstick to life through lush animation and a story about a girl who feels like an outsider in her own world.

Mary Smith is an eleven-year-old girl living with her great-aunt Charlotte in the English countryside. She spends her days wandering fields and dreaming of adventure until a mysterious black cat leads her to a hidden garden. There she finds a glowing blue flower called the Fly-by-Night, which blooms only once every seven years under a full moon. Picking it transports her to Blackbird University, a magical academy hidden from the mundane world. [edit]

After picking the glowing blue Fly-by-Night flower, Mary wakes up standing before the imposing gates of Blackbird University. The school operates on a strict schedule where students learn to cast spells using enchanted objects like brooms and wands. Madam Mumblechook, the headmistress, takes immediate interest in Mary because she possesses the rare ability to transform into a witch for one night using the flower. Miss Banks, the stern but kind housekeeper, shows Mary around the dormitory and introduces her to other students like Peter, a cocky boy who wants to prove his worth, and Flanagan, a shy girl who struggles with basic magic.

Peter initially mocks Mary for being clumsy and new to the world of magic. He challenges her to a flying race on their brooms, which ends in a crash that reveals the dangers of untrained flight. Despite the accident, Peter begins to respect Mary when she helps him fix his broken wand. Meanwhile, Mary discovers that the university runs on a dark secret. The staff harvests Fly-by-Night flowers from the real world to fuel their magic, draining the life force of those who use them without permission.

Madam Mumblechook plans to extend her own life indefinitely by stealing the youth of young witches. She manipulates Mary into helping her complete a ritual that requires a specific incantation spoken during the full moon. Mary realizes that the flower's power is unstable and dangerous if used for selfish purposes. She starts to notice strange occurrences around the campus, including missing students and a general sense of dread among the faculty.

The tension builds as Mary tries to understand the true nature of the magic she wields. She learns that the Fly-by-Night flower was never meant to be a tool for immortality but rather a test of character. Those who can resist the temptation of power are worthy of the magic, while those who succumb to greed face destruction. Mary forms an unlikely alliance with Tib, the black cat who guided her to the flower, and Peter, who decides to help her stop the headmistress.

As the night progresses, Mary navigates the treacherous halls of the university while avoiding detection. She uncovers evidence of the headmistress's crimes and learns that the magic comes at a terrible cost. The narrative explores themes of identity, courage, and the consequences of lying. Mary must make a difficult choice: embrace the power offered by the flower or reject it entirely to save herself and those she has come to care about.

The climax approaches as the full moon reaches its peak, and the magic of the flower threatens to consume everyone involved if not stopped. Mary and her friends prepare to confront the headmistress during the height of the ritual. They must navigate the complex politics of the magical world while keeping their identities safe from those who would exploit them. The story culminates in a race against time to expose the truth and restore balance to both the magical and mundane worlds.[edit]