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 showcases a playful encounter between two Ekans hanging from a tree; one is a captivating Shiny variant. A comical mishap leads the Shiny Ekans to tumble onto a passing Arbok, triggering an unexpected evolution after a playful threat from its fellow Ekans. Now recognized as one of their own, the golden Arbok is followed by its new companions as it departs the forest.
This brief but touching video resonated deeply with YouTube viewers. One fan commented, "Even though we were able to meet, it’s sad to say goodbye," highlighting the bittersweet nature of the Ekans' brief friendship. Another viewer drew parallels to children, noting that the differing appearances of the Ekans didn't hinder their immediate and friendly interaction.
Many viewers expressed a wave of nostalgia upon seeing the Shiny Pokémon, recalling their first encounters with Shiny Ekans in Pokémon Gold and Silver. One 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, but I'm so happy we met again like this!"Beyond the animated short, The Pokémon Company has prepared exciting events and merchandise to enhance the Lunar New Year celebrations.
Pokémon GO's Lunar New Year Event
Kicking off on January 9th, 2025, Pokémon GO launched its Lunar New Year event, boosting 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 has a more humanoid 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.
