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To celebrate the arrival of the fascinating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, an exciting partnership is underway. The Pokémon Company and the Natural History Museum are opening a pop-up shop stocked with special merchandise. Enthusiasts will find products like plush toys, art prints, and writing supplies all inspired by the museum's aesthetic. The big draw, however, will be a specially made Pikachu card, given as a gift with purchase at the pop-up. The store is scheduled from the physical location and online between late January and mid-April.

The Book That Inspires the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a highly anticipated tome filled with stunning artwork depicting creatures in their wild environments. It's essentially is the kind of research a Pokémon Professor might publish after adventurers submit their data, or a naturalist's journal could have sketched if the Galapagos were populated by flying-types instead of birds. A key appeal stems from the book's scholarly treatment, presenting Pokémon as a legitimate subject for study. Writer Yoshinari Yonehara together with illustrator Chihiro Kinoshita both hold PhDs in animal behavior and ecology.

What Makes This Special Card Different

It is common to issue special edition cards for big events and crossover partnerships. Many such promotional cards typically highlight the famous electric rodent who serves as the franchise mascot. What distinguishes this new promotion apart is its unusually large dimensions. While exact measurements were not publicly disclosed, its distribution is guaranteed to be strictly limited, with fans able to get only a single card per purchase.

Curbing Reseller Interest

According to a company announcement, a portion of the pop-up items may also be available outside the museum walls. But, a wider release is slated for select retailers within the UK. Critically, fans cannot purchase this promo through the online Pokémon Center. While speculator demand is a given, it appears they will have trouble stockpiling large numbers this time around. For those unable to attend, consider an alternative like Pokémon Fossil exhibit headed to Chicago later this year.

"Every penny of sales made in the museum store and from its online store, which covers Pokémon products, support the Natural History Museum’s non-profit work. This includes the research of 400 scientists who are scientific inquiry to discover solutions to the planetary emergency," it notes.