Ekans Leads Pokemon's Snake Year Celebration

Pokémon is embracing the Lunar New Year of 2025 with a delightful animated short that honors the Year of the Snake, showcasing the iconic snake Pokémon, Ekans and Arbok. Dive into the details of this special video and discover how The Pokémon Company is marking this festive occasion.

Pokémon Celebrates the Year of the Snake

Releases an Animated Short, Featuring a Shiny Ekans and Arbok

On January 29, 2025, Pokémon's official YouTube channel unveiled a charming animated short to celebrate the Lunar New Year, ushering in the Year of the Snake. The short features a delightful scene where two Ekans are seen hanging from a tree, one of them a rare Shiny variant. Captivated by its surroundings, the Shiny Ekans accidentally falls onto a nearby Arbok, leading to a surprising evolution when threatened by its peers. This newly evolved Shiny Arbok, now golden, is then followed by other Arboks as it departs the forest.

This brief yet touching video struck an emotional chord with viewers. One fan remarked, "Even though we were able to meet, it’s sad to say goodbye," capturing the fleeting connection between the two Ekans. Another viewer likened their interaction to that of children, emphasizing that their different appearances did not hinder their immediate friendly engagement, despite one being a Shiny variant.

The animated short also evoked nostalgia among some fans. One shared, "When I was playing Gold and Silver, the first Pokémon of a different color I encountered was Arbo. 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 this Lunar New Year celebration.

Pokémon GO’s Lunar New Year Event

On January 9, 2025, Pokémon GO announced a special Lunar New Year event, boosting 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.

Players can look forward to increased encounters with Ekans, Onix, Gyarados, Dratini, Dunsparce, Snivy, and Darumaka. While Darumaka may appear 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, a themed Timed Research will be available, offering players the chance to earn rare Zygarde Cells, essential for changing Zygarde's forms.