Pokémon is embracing the Lunar New Year of 2025 with a vibrant celebration of the Year of the Snake, highlighted by a special animated short featuring the snake Pokémon Ekans and Arbok. Dive into the details of this heartwarming video and discover how The Pokémon Company is commemorating this festive season.
Pokémon Celebrates the Year of the Snake
Releases an Animated Short, Featuring a Shiny Ekans and Arbok
On January 29, 2025, Pokémon's official YouTube channel delighted fans with a charming animated short in honor of the Lunar New Year, celebrating the Year of the Snake. The video showcases a light-hearted interaction between two Ekans perched in a tree, one of which is a dazzling Shiny variant. In a comical turn of events, the Shiny Ekans falls onto a passing Arbok and evolves after a playful threat from its companions. The newly evolved Shiny Arbok, with its golden sheen, is then followed by other Arboks as it ventures out of the forest.
This brief yet touching video resonated deeply with the Pokémon community. Fans expressed a mix of emotions, with one commenting, "Even though we were able to meet, it’s sad to say goodbye," reflecting on the fleeting bond between the Ekans. Another viewer drew parallels to childhood friendships, noting how the Ekans, despite their different appearances, connected instantly and amiably.
The short also stirred feelings of nostalgia among fans, reminding them of their first encounters with Shiny Pokémon. One fan reminisced about their initial encounter with a Shiny Ekans in Pokémon Gold and Silver, lamenting, "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 has prepared a range of events and merchandise to help players celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Pokémon GO’s Lunar New Year Event
Kicking off on January 9, 2025, Pokémon GO launched its Lunar New Year event as part of the Dual Destiny season, running from December 3, 2024, to March 4, 2025. This event boosts the encounter rates and Shiny appearances of snake-like Pokémon, including Ekans, Onix, Gyarados, Dratini, Dunsparce, Snivy, and Darumaka. Although Darumaka appears more humanoid, its design draws inspiration from the Daruma doll, symbolizing good luck and perseverance.
The event also features themed Field Research tasks and special 2 km Eggs, containing Pokémon such as Makuhita, Nosepass, Meditite, Duskull, and Skorupi. Additionally, players can engage in a themed Timed Research, earning the rare Zygarde Cells essential for altering Zygarde’s forms.
