Pokémon is ringing in the Lunar New Year of 2025 with a vibrant celebration of the Year of the Snake, featuring a special animated short centered around the beloved snake Pokémon, Ekans and Arbok. Dive into the details of this heartwarming video and discover how The Pokémon Company is marking this auspicious occasion.
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 unveiled a charming animated short to honor the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake. The video showcases a playful exchange between two Ekans, one of which is a rare Shiny variant. The Shiny Ekans, captivated by its surroundings, inadvertently falls onto a passing Arbok. This encounter triggers a transformation, leading to the Shiny Ekans evolving into a golden Arbok. Accepted by its new companions, the golden Arbok leads the group away from the forest.
Despite its brevity, the video resonated deeply with viewers, evoking a range of emotions. A fan commented, "Even though we were able to meet, it’s sad to say goodbye," reflecting on the fleeting moment shared by the two Ekans. Others drew parallels between the Ekans' interaction and that of children, emphasizing that differences in appearance don't hinder friendship. The appearance of the Shiny Pokémon also stirred nostalgia among fans, with one recalling, "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!"
In addition to the animated short, The Pokémon Company has prepared a variety of events and merchandise for fans to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Pokémon GO’s Lunar New Year Event
On January 9, 2025, Pokémon GO announced an exciting 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 chances for several snake-like Pokémon, including Ekans, Onix, Gyarados, Dratini, Dunsparce, Snivy, and Darumaka. Although Darumaka appears more humanoid, it's inspired by the Daruma doll, symbolizing good luck and perseverance.
The event also features themed Field Research tasks and special 2 km Eggs, containing Pokémon like Makuhita, Nosepass, Meditite, Duskull, and Skorupi. Additionally, a themed Timed Research offers players the chance to collect Zygarde Cells, essential for altering Zygarde’s forms.
