Pokémon is celebrating the Lunar New Year of 2025, the Year of the Snake, with a delightful animated short featuring the iconic snake Pokémon, Ekans and Arbok. Dive in to discover more about this heartwarming video and how The Pokémon Company is marking this festive occasion.
Pokémon Celebrates the Year of the Snake
Releases an Animated Short, Featuring a Shiny Ekans and Arbok
On January 29, 2025, Pokémon's YouTube channel unveiled an enchanting animated short to commemorate the Lunar New Year, celebrating the Year of the Snake. This delightful video showcases a playful interaction between two Ekans perched in a tree, with one being a rare Shiny variant. The Shiny Ekans, captivated by its surroundings, accidentally falls onto a passing Arbok. This unexpected encounter leads to an evolution, transforming the Shiny Ekans into a golden Arbok. Embraced by its new kin, the Shiny Arbok leads the group out of the forest.
The short video resonated deeply with viewers, evoking a range of emotions. One fan remarked, "Even though we were able to meet, it’s sad to say goodbye," reflecting on the fleeting connection between the two Ekans. Another viewer drew parallels to childhood friendships, emphasizing that despite their different appearances, the Ekans bonded instantly, showcasing the universal theme of acceptance.
For some, the video stirred nostalgic feelings, reminding them of their first encounters with Shiny Pokémon. A 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 has rolled out a series of events and merchandise to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Pokémon GO’s Lunar New Year Event
Pokémon GO kicked off its Lunar New Year event on January 9, 2025, aligning with the Dual Destiny season, which runs from December 3, 2024, to March 4, 2025. This event boosts the encounter and Shiny rates for snake-like Pokémon, including Ekans, Onix, Gyarados, Dratini, Dunsparce, Snivy, and Darumaka. Notably, Darumaka, inspired by the Daruma doll, symbolizes good luck and perseverance despite its more humanoid appearance.
The event also features themed Field Research tasks and special 2 km Eggs, with Pokémon such as Makuhita, Nosepass, Meditite, Duskull, and Skorupi available. Additionally, a themed Timed Research offers players the chance to earn rare Zygarde Cells, essential for altering Zygarde's forms.
