Pokémon is ringing in the Lunar New Year of 2025 with a special animated short that highlights the snake Pokémon, Ekans and Arbok. Dive into the details of this heartwarming video and discover how The Pokémon Company is marking the Year of the Snake with various celebrations.
Pokemon Celebrates the Year of the Snake
Releases an Animated Short, Featuring a Shiny Ekans and Arbok
On January 29, 2025, Pokémon's YouTube channel delighted fans with an animated short celebrating the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake. The short showcases a playful encounter between two Ekans dangling from a tree, one of which is a dazzling Shiny variant. Captivated by its surroundings, the Shiny Ekans accidentally falls onto a passing Arbok, leading to a surprising evolution. Embraced by its new peers, the Shiny golden Arbok leads the others out of the forest.
Despite its brief runtime, the video tugged at the heartstrings of many viewers. One fan expressed, "Even though we were able to meet, it’s sad to say goodbye," reflecting on the fleeting connection between the two Ekans. Another fan likened their interaction to that of children, emphasizing that their different appearances did not hinder their immediate friendship.
The video also evoked nostalgia among fans, with some reminiscing about their first encounters with Shiny Pokémon in games like Pokémon Gold and Silver. One fan shared, "When I was playing Gold and Silver, the first Pokémon of a different color I encountered was Arbo. For some reason, it ran away from me at the time, and I was unable to catch it, something I still regret. However, I am very happy that we were able to meet again like this!"
Beyond the animated short, The Pokémon Company is offering a range of events and merchandise to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Pokemon GO’s Lunar New Year Event
Pokemon GO kicked off its Lunar New Year event on January 9, 2025, as part of the Dual Destiny season, running from December 3, 2024, to March 4, 2025. The event boosts the encounter and Shiny rates for snake-like Pokémon, including Ekans, Onix, Gyarados, Dratini, Dunsparce, Snivy, and Darumaka. Notably, Darumaka, though more humanoid, draws inspiration from the Daruma doll, symbolizing good luck and perseverance.
The event also features themed Field Research tasks and special 2 km Eggs, which can hatch into Makuhita, Nosepass, Meditite, Duskull, and Skorupi. Additionally, a themed Timed Research offers players the chance to earn Zygarde Cells, essential for altering Zygarde's forms.
