Pokemon Celebrates Year of the Snake with Ekans

Pokémon rings in the Year of the Snake with a charming animated short featuring the serpentine Pokémon Ekans and Arbok. Discover more about this delightful video and how The Pokémon Company is celebrating the 2025 Lunar New Year.

Pokémon Celebrates the Year of the Snake

A Shiny New Animated Short Featuring Ekans and Arbok

On January 29th, 2025, Pokémon's YouTube channel unveiled a heartwarming animated short celebrating the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake.

The short film showcases a humorous encounter between two Ekans dangling from a tree, one of which is a dazzling Shiny variant. The Shiny Ekans' mesmerized fall onto a passing Arbok leads to an unexpected evolution after a playful threat from its fellow Ekans. Accepted as one of their own, the Shiny golden Arbok is followed by its newfound companions as they depart the forest.

This brief but touching video resonated deeply with YouTube viewers. One fan commented, "Even though we were able to meet, it’s sad to say goodbye," highlighting the bittersweet nature of the Ekans' brief interaction. Another viewer likened the scene to children playing, emphasizing that differences in appearance didn't hinder their immediate and friendly connection, even with a Shiny Pokémon involved.

Many viewers also expressed a wave of nostalgia upon seeing the Shiny Pokémon, recalling their first encounters with Shiny Ekans in Pokémon Gold and Silver. One such fan shared, "When I was playing Gold and Silver, the first differently colored Pokémon I encountered was Arbok. It ran away, and I never caught it—a regret I still hold. But I'm so happy we could meet again like this!"

Beyond the animated short, The Pokémon Company has prepared a variety of events and merchandise to enhance the Lunar New Year celebration.

Pokémon GO's Lunar New Year Event

Kicking off on January 9th, 2025, Pokémon GO launched its Lunar New Year event, boosting the encounter and Shiny rates for snake-themed Pokémon. This event is part of the Dual Destiny season, running from December 3rd, 2024, to March 4th, 2025.

Pokémon with increased encounter rates include Ekans, Onix, Gyarados, Dratini, Dunsparce, Snivy, and Darumaka. While Darumaka has a more humanoid appearance, its inspiration from the Daruma doll symbolizes good luck and perseverance, fitting the celebratory theme.

The event also features themed Field Research tasks, special 2km Eggs containing Makuhita, Nosepass, Meditite, Duskull, and Skorupi, and a Timed Research rewarding players with rare Zygarde Cells—essential for evolving Zygarde.