Pokémon Rings in the Year of the Snake with Charming Animated Short
Pokémon kicked off the 2025 Lunar New Year celebrations with a heartwarming animated short featuring Ekans and Arbok, the snake Pokémon. This charming video, released on January 29th, 2025, showcases a delightful encounter between two Ekans, one of which is a Shiny variant.
The short depicts a humorous yet touching interaction. The Shiny Ekans, captivated by its counterpart, accidentally falls onto a passing Arbok, triggering a surprising evolution. The newly evolved Arbok, now recognized by its fellow Arboks, leads them away, creating a memorable scene.
The video resonated deeply with viewers, evoking feelings of nostalgia and heartwarming camaraderie. Many commented on the sweet interaction between the Ekans, highlighting the theme of friendship transcending differences. Others shared memories of their first Shiny Ekans encounters in Pokémon Gold and Silver.
Beyond the animated short, The Pokémon Company launched various events and merchandise to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Pokémon GO's Lunar New Year Event
Pokémon GO joined the festivities with a Lunar New Year event starting January 9th, 2025, as part of its Dual Destiny season (December 3rd, 2024 – March 4th, 2025). This event boosted the encounter and Shiny rates for several snake-themed Pokémon, including Ekans, Onix, Gyarados, Dratini, Dunsparce, Snivy, and Darumaka.
The event also included themed Field Research tasks, special 2km Eggs featuring Pokémon like Makuhita, Nosepass, Meditite, Duskull, and Skorupi, and a Timed Research offering rare Zygarde Cells.
This multifaceted celebration showcased Pokémon's commitment to engaging with its global fanbase during this significant cultural event.
