Pokemon Celebrates Year of the Snake with Ekans

Pokémon celebrates the Year of the Snake with a special animated short featuring the snake Pokémon Ekans and Arbok. Dive into the details of this enchanting video and discover how The Pokémon Company is celebrating the Lunar New Year of 2025.

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 released a captivating animated short to celebrate the Lunar New Year, marking the Year of the Snake. This delightful video showcases a humorous interaction between two Ekans hanging from a tree, with one being a Shiny variant. Captivated by its own reflection, the Shiny Ekans tumbles onto a passing Arbok, leading to an unexpected evolution. Recognized as one of their own, the other Arboks follow the now Shiny golden Arbok as it ventures out of the forest.

Despite its brevity, the video tugged at the heartstrings of many YouTube viewers. One fan expressed, "Even though we were able to meet, it’s sad to say goodbye," reflecting on the fleeting encounter between the two Ekans. Another fan likened their interaction to that of children, emphasizing that differences in appearance didn't hinder their immediate and friendly interaction.

Additionally, the video stirred feelings of nostalgia among fans who recalled their first encounters with Shiny Pokémon. One viewer 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 prepared a range of events and merchandise for fans to enjoy during the Lunar New Year.

Pokemon GO’s Lunar New Year Event

On January 9, 2025, Pokémon GO announced its Lunar New Year event, boosting the encounter and Shiny rates of snake-like Pokémon. This event is part of the Dual Destiny season, running from December 3, 2024, to March 4, 2025.

The Pokémon with increased encounter rates include 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, which can hatch into Makuhita, Nosepass, Meditite, Duskull, and Skorupi. Additionally, a themed Timed Research offers players the chance to earn rare Zygarde Cells, essential for changing Zygarde’s forms.