The Pokémon franchise is ringing in the Lunar New Year of 2025 with a special celebration themed around the Year of the Snake. At the heart of this celebration is a captivating animated short featuring the snake Pokémon, Ekans and Arbok, which was released on Pokémon’s official YouTube channel on January 29, 2025.
Releases an Animated Short, Featuring a Shiny Ekans and Arbok
The animated short showcases a delightful and humorous interaction between two Ekans dangling from a tree, with one of them being a rare Shiny variant. The Shiny Ekans, captivated by its surroundings, accidentally falls onto a passing Arbok. In a surprising turn of events, the Shiny Ekans evolves into a Shiny Arbok after a playful threat from its new companions. This golden Arbok then leads a group of Arboks out of the forest, leaving viewers with a touching narrative of acceptance and camaraderie.
The short video has struck a chord with the Pokémon community, evoking a range of emotions from nostalgia to heartfelt sentiments. One fan remarked, "Even though we were able to meet, it’s sad to say goodbye," reflecting on the brief yet impactful interaction between the two Ekans. Another viewer drew parallels to childhood friendships, emphasizing that differences in appearance, such as the Shiny variant, do not hinder the immediate bond formed between the two Ekans.
For some, the sight of the Shiny Pokémon rekindled memories of their first encounters with rare variants. 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!"
In addition to the animated short, The Pokémon Company has planned various events and merchandise to enhance the Lunar New Year festivities for fans.
Pokemon GO’s Lunar New Year Event
On January 9, 2025, Pokémon GO launched its Lunar New Year event, which boosts the encounter and Shiny rates of snake-like Pokémon. This event aligns with the Dual Destiny season, running from December 3, 2024, to March 4, 2025.
During the event, players have an increased chance of encountering Pokémon such as Ekans, Onix, Gyarados, Dratini, Dunsparce, Snivy, and Darumaka. Though Darumaka may seem more humanoid, it draws inspiration from the Daruma doll, symbolizing good luck and perseverance.
The event also introduces themed Field Research tasks and special 2 km Eggs, featuring Pokémon like Makuhita, Nosepass, Meditite, Duskull, and Skorupi. Additionally, players can participate in a themed Timed Research, which offers the rare Zygarde Cells essential for transforming Zygarde’s forms.
