Pokemon Celebrates Year of the Snake with Ekans
Pokémon Rings in the Year of the Snake with a Charming Animated Short
Pokémon celebrated the 2025 Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake, with a heartwarming animated short featuring Ekans and Arbok. The video, released January 29th, 2025 on Pokémon's YouTube channel, showcases a delightful encounter between two Ekans—one a Shiny variant—and their subsequent evolution into Arbok.
The short film depicts a humorous yet touching interaction. The Shiny Ekans's accidental fall onto an Arbok leads to an unexpected evolution, and a heartwarming acceptance into the Arbok community. Viewers expressed emotional responses online, with some comparing the Ekans' bond to a childlike friendship that transcends visual differences.
The video also sparked nostalgia for many, recalling their early encounters with Shiny Pokémon in games like Pokémon Gold and Silver.
Beyond the animated short, The Pokémon Company launched several events and merchandise to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Pokémon GO's Lunar New Year Celebration
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). The event boosted the encounter and Shiny rates for several snake-like Pokémon, including Ekans, Onix, Gyarados, Dratini, Dunsparce, Snivy, and Darumaka (whose Daruma doll inspiration symbolizes good fortune).
Players enjoyed themed Field Research tasks, special 2km Eggs featuring Pokémon like Makuhita and Meditite, and a Timed Research event rewarding rare Zygarde Cells. This multifaceted celebration provided a fun and engaging experience for Pokémon fans worldwide.
