The Pokémon Company is ringing in the Lunar New Year of 2025 with a delightful focus on the Year of the Snake, featuring a captivating animated short that showcases the snake Pokémon, Ekans and Arbok. This special video and accompanying events offer fans a unique way to celebrate this auspicious time.
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 video showcases a playful interaction between two Ekans perched in a tree, one of which is a rare Shiny variant. The Shiny Ekans, entranced by its surroundings, accidentally falls onto a passing Arbok. In a surprising twist, the Shiny Ekans evolves into a Shiny Arbok after being threatened by its peers. Embraced as one of their own, the golden Arbok leads the others out of the forest, leaving a poignant mark on viewers.
The short, though brief, struck an emotional chord with many. One YouTube user poignantly remarked, "Even though we were able to meet, it’s sad to say goodbye," capturing the bittersweet essence of the Ekans' brief encounter. Another fan drew parallels to childhood friendships, noting that the two Ekans, despite their different appearances, immediately connected in a friendly manner.
For many, the appearance of the Shiny Pokémon evoked nostalgia. One fan reminisced about their first encounter with a Shiny Ekans in Pokémon Gold and Silver, lamenting a missed opportunity to catch a Shiny Arbok that ran away. They expressed joy at the reunion through the animated short, saying, "I am very happy that we were able to meet again like this!"
Beyond the animated short, The Pokémon Company has prepared a variety of events and merchandise to enhance the Lunar New Year celebrations.
Pokemon GO’s Lunar New Year Event
On January 9, 2025, Pokémon GO announced its Lunar New Year event, part of the Dual Destiny season running from December 3, 2024, to March 4, 2025. This event boosts the encounter and Shiny rates of snake-like Pokémon, including Ekans, Onix, Gyarados, Dratini, Dunsparce, Snivy, and Darumaka. Despite Darumaka's more humanoid appearance, its inspiration from the Daruma doll symbolizes good luck and perseverance.
The event also introduces themed Field Research tasks and special 2 km Eggs, featuring Pokémon such as Makuhita, Nosepass, Meditite, Duskull, and Skorupi. Additionally, a themed Timed Research offers players the chance to earn rare Zygarde Cells, crucial for altering Zygarde’s forms.
