Pokémon rings in the Year of the Snake with a charming animated short featuring the serpentine Pokémon Ekans and Arbok. Discover more about this delightful video and how The Pokémon Company is celebrating the 2025 Lunar New Year.
Pokémon Celebrates the Year of the Snake
A Shiny New Animated Short Starring Ekans and Arbok
On January 29th, 2025, Pokémon's YouTube channel unveiled a heartwarming animated short celebrating the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake.
The short film follows a humorous encounter between two Ekans hanging from a tree, one of which is a Shiny variant. The Shiny Ekans' mesmerized fall onto a passing Arbok leads to an unexpected evolution after a playful threat from its companions. Accepted as one of their own, the golden Shiny Arbok leads the others away from the forest.
This brief but touching video resonated deeply with many YouTube viewers. One fan commented, "Even though we were able to meet, it’s sad to say goodbye," highlighting the emotional connection between the two Ekans. Another viewer likened their interaction to that of children, emphasizing that differences in appearance didn't hinder their immediate friendship.
Meanwhile, others expressed a wave of nostalgia upon seeing the Shiny Pokémon, recalling their first encounters with Shiny Ekans in Pokémon Gold and Silver. One such viewer shared, "When I was playing Gold and Silver, the first differently colored Pokémon I encountered was Arbok. It ran away, and I regret not catching it. I'm so happy to see them again like this!"Beyond the animated short, The Pokémon Company prepared exciting events and merchandise to enhance the Lunar New Year celebrations.
Pokémon GO's Lunar New Year Event
Pokémon GO launched its Lunar New Year event on January 9th, 2025, boosting the encounter and Shiny rates for snake-like Pokémon. This event is part of the Dual Destiny season, running from December 3rd, 2024, to March 4th, 2025.
Pokémon with increased encounter rates include Ekans, Onix, Gyarados, Dratini, Dunsparce, Snivy, and Darumaka. While Darumaka is more humanoid in appearance, its inspiration from the Daruma doll symbolizes good luck and perseverance.
The event also features themed Field Research tasks, special 2 km Eggs containing Makuhita, Nosepass, Meditite, Duskull, and Skorupi, and a Timed Research rewarding players with rare Zygarde Cells, crucial for evolving Zygarde.
