Candy Candy and Mighty Atom appear in Chiayi's alleys — a nostalgic cartoon mural alley

Text and photos by /KUMA

On this short stretch of a few hundred meters, when nostalgic cartoons such as Candy Candy, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mighty Atom, and Science Ninja Team Gatchaman all make an appearance, it takes you right back to the days of sitting in front of the TV as a kid. This secret fairytale alley in Chiayi is practically an exclusive mural lane for those born in the '50s and '60s. As you recall the cartoons and plotlines you grew up with, a deep sense of nostalgia and emotion washes over you.

The murals are located in Lane 215, Minsheng North Road, just inside the alley beside Chang Hwa Bank at the intersection of Chiayi’s Zhongshan Road and Minsheng North Road. Across from the alley is the well-known restaurant “Old Western-Style House 1931.” The first mural greeting you at the entrance is inspired by Alice in Wonderland, featuring an illustrated storybook style that immediately captures your attention.

Unlike the usual dapper attire, the White Rabbit here is dressed casually—this bear loves his red-striped pants, which give off the vibe of having forgotten to put on outer trousers.

The soft, storybook-like illustration style really makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a children’s book.

And there’s a clever detail on the door: when you stand in front of it, the mirrored reflection turns you into the Queen of Hearts who’s about to open the door. This small interactive design helps you immerse yourself in the story of Alice in Wonderland.

A bit further down, you’ll find the cartoon character: Little Raccoon.

The Little Bee embarks on a series of adventurous quests in search of her long-lost birth mother; aside from the storyline, the theme song from that time is also incredibly catchy—you’ll find yourself humming along.

The alleys in Fan She Li were originally the site of the old Eslite Police Station and police dormitories. Due to disuse, they became rundown and messy. The local community later initiated greening efforts and murals, transforming the whole lane into a new highlight. In Lane 215 of Minsheng North Road, besides the nostalgic cartoon murals, you can also enjoy various flower pot figure installations blending with the greenery.

Another highlight in the mural alley is a mosaic artwork featuring Super Mario and Science Ninja Team Gatchaman. Unfortunately, a resident’s car is parked in front, so you can’t get a full view of the Super Mario piece.

Across from the Taicheng Little Green Spot, the young hero Willy from North Sea Hero gently touches his nose before getting another idea.

Heidi, Girl of the Alps, also stars here in a heartwarming story.

The tale of Nello and Patrasche is equally touching.

Yoshiko Yamamoto’s work, Candy Candy, was an immensely popular cartoon back then, and even its theme song was a huge hit. The story unfolds with dramatic ups and downs among the prince on the hill, Anthony, and Tony, but thankfully ends on a good note—though it still leaves you with a slight tinge of melancholy.

Seeing Candy Candy also brings to mind another cartoon: Jenny, the Girl from the Alps, which is equally heartrending.

“The Story of Annie.”

In “Princess Sarah,” the protagonist Sarah and her beloved doll Emily endure a series of hardships before ultimately reclaiming their identity as the Diamond Princess. The theme song from that time, “Princess Sarah, yay yay yay...”, was also incredibly catchy and easy to sing along to. =^^= It also reminds this bear of another story: Anne of Green Gables, which I really loved.

Speaking of nostalgic cartoons, Mighty Atom is, of course, essential, along with its fellow fighters Aniki No. 1 and Moln II. And Moln II’s famous weapon, the Moln Missile, became a super trendy slang term among schoolboys back then.

The Q-version style rendering of Mighty Atom is absolutely adorable.

“Tetsujin 28-go” is a cartoon this bear hasn’t watched, only knowing that there’s a Tetsujin 28-go installation art piece in Kobe, Japan.

“Science Ninja Team Gatchaman” is another cartoon I used to rush home to watch. The mosaic brick artwork is something I really love—it intricately depicts all five protagonists.

The nostalgic cartoon murals painted on the exterior walls of old houses have a unique feel to them.

Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was also one of my favorite books growing up. The friendship between Tom and Huck, as well as the tense scenes with Injun Joe, left a deep impression. One year, there was also an exhibition of installations based on these nostalgic cartoons at West Lake Resort, which I went to see. The stories may have been simple, but they left a lasting and heartfelt impression.

“The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” where Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Lion, the Tin Man, and little dog Toto embark on an adventure to find their way home and discover themselves.

In “One Thousand and One Nights,” what stands out the most is the mynah bird Xiao Fei Fei, who croaks out “Xiao Pang, Xiao Pang.”

In the alley next to the Tom Sawyer mural, you’ll also find more modern-style, metaphor-rich artworks.

Especially the Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, reimagined with classic tales and modern attire—simple yet deeply meaningful.

Finally, we arrive at “The Smurfs,” where everyone is happily on their way. The story always involves outsmarting Gargamel and Azrael the cat.

Whether it's Little Ren who dislikes everything or simply hates everything, each little sprite has its own distinct personality and preferences.

At the end of the alley, the nostalgic cartoon murals come to a temporary halt, and now you’re about to enter the secret fairytale lane, stepping into a world of fairy tale stories.

The fairytale secret lane murals were completed earlier, and later, to enhance the beautification of Fan She Li Minsheng Community, nostalgic cartoon murals were added.

On this side, you can see well-known fairy tale murals presented in a picture book style, featuring “The Frog Prince,” “The Little Prince,” and “The Musicians of Bremen.” The river becomes the skirt of a princess’s dress, with soft hues and brushstrokes that make it feel like you're flipping through a picture book, filling the alley with romance.

On the other side of the wall is the story of “The Little Prince,” panel by panel, as if flipping through a children’s book.

The “Musicians of Bremen” mural brings back the story, particularly the scene where the animals pile up to drive away the robbers.

Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” evokes a touch of melancholy, both for the story itself and the deeper meaning behind it.

Hidden within the Fan She Li Minsheng Community in Chiayi, these murals may only span a short 300 meters. Across Xirong Street, one side features nostalgic cartoon murals while the other showcases world fairy tales—different themes, but all reminiscent of cherished childhood memories.

Seeing so many nostalgic cartoons appear on the mural walls for the first time was truly exciting; walking slowly, savoring each piece, and reminiscing about that irretrievable childhood.
The cartoons that accompanied our growth hold so many memories and emotions. This place is truly a mural alley belonging to those from the 5th and 6th grades (around the ages of 10–12).


Attractions: Fairytale Secret Lane Murals / Nostalgic Cartoon Murals
Address: Lane 215, Minsheng North Road, West District, Chiayi City (inside the alley next to Chang Hwa Bank)

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