Pokémon Rings in the Year of the Snake with a Charming Animated Short
Pokémon kicked off the 2025 Lunar New Year with a heartwarming animated short featuring Ekans and Arbok, celebrating the Year of the Snake. The video, released January 29th, 2025, on Pokémon's YouTube channel, showcases a delightful encounter between two Ekans, one a shiny variant.
The short depicts a humorous yet touching interaction. The shiny Ekans, captivated, falls onto a passing Arbok, leading to an unexpected evolution after a playful threat from its fellow Ekans. The newly evolved shiny Arbok, now accepted by its peers, leads them away, leaving viewers with a sense of warmth.
The video resonated deeply with fans, evoking feelings of nostalgia and appreciation for the Pokémon's unique bond. Many commented on the heartwarming interaction, comparing it to the innocent friendships of children, transcending differences in appearance. The appearance of a shiny Pokémon also triggered fond memories for many long-time players.
Beyond the animated short, The Pokémon Company organized various events and released merchandise to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Pokémon GO's Lunar New Year Festivities
Pokémon GO joined the celebration with its Lunar New Year event, starting January 9th, 2025. This event, part of the Dual Destiny season (December 3rd, 2024 - March 4th, 2025), boosted the encounter and shiny rates for several snake-themed Pokémon, including Ekans, Onix, Gyarados, Dratini, Dunsparce, Snivy, and Darumaka (whose Daruma doll inspiration represents good luck).
The event also featured themed Field Research tasks, special 2km Eggs containing Pokémon like Makuhita, Nosepass, Meditite, Duskull, and Skorupi, and a Timed Research rewarding players with rare Zygarde Cells.
