By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Reported by Eason
 
As 2015 draws to a close, this time of year inevitably brings reflections on the major events that took place throughout the year. In the realm of travel, besides revisiting newly emerged attractions and fun activities, exclusive mascots also play a significant role in marketing campaigns and local promotion. Compared to Japan’s adorable and endearing mascots such as Kumamon and Funassyi, Taiwan’s mascots somehow always seem to have that extra bit of “shocking” quality. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the mascots that became hot topics in 2015.

● Milkfish Boy
The mascot “Milkfish Boy” was created by Yonglong Community in Beimen, Tainan City. Once the photo was released, it sparked online discussion. The fish head features a bizarre smiling face with pitch-black eyes beneath its chin, which not only left many netizens stunned but also frightened passersby, with some even comparing it to Chucky the killer doll. It’s considered one of the most classic mascots of 2015.

● Banana Man
The appearance of Banana Man could be said to have given Milkfish Boy a run for its money. With no facial features and a smooth, almost slime-covered body, the photo was once posted on PTT by a netizen under the title “Any gossip on Taiwan’s ugliest local mascot?” sparking heated discussion and earning it the title of Taiwan’s ugliest mascot. But the intense discussion also made this mascot an overnight sensation, with many netizens and locals specifically traveling to Qishan to take photos with the Banana King.

● Birdman

When it comes to installation art mascots, the birdman artwork located at Taipei Metro (Zhongshan Station Underground Street) also garnered considerable attention. Its slender human body wears a giant yellow bird head atop its shoulders, standing on green grass—a bizarre and amusing look that left a deep impression. Many netizens also commented that compared to Milkfish Boy and Banana Man, the birdman artwork is actually much more approachable.
 

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