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Marking the launch of the fascinating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, a unique collaboration is underway. The Pokémon Company alongside the Natural History Museum will launch a pop-up shop stocked with special items. Enthusiasts will find products like plush toys, art prints, and writing supplies all inspired by the institution's aesthetic. For collectors, though, will be a limited-edition Pikachu card, offered as a free bonus for the pop-up. This shop will operate from the physical location and online between late January and mid-April.

The Book Behind the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology is a much-awaited tome filled with beautiful illustrations that show Pokémon in their natural habitats. The concept is what a Pokémon Professor might publish after trainers provide field notes, or a naturalist's journal could have sketched had the famous islands teemed with flying-types rather than birds. Part of the charm lies in the book's serious approach, presenting Pokémon as a legitimate scientific inquiry. Writer Yoshinari Yonehara together with artist Chihiro Kinoshita both hold doctorate degrees in animal behavior and ecology.

Why This Special Card Different

It is common for The Pokémon Company special edition promos celebrating big events or brand collaborations. Many such promotional cards often feature the iconic electric rodent that acts as the franchise mascot. The factor setting this new museum card however, is the unusually large size. While precise specs have not been publicly disclosed, availability is guaranteed to be highly restricted, with customers limited to only a single card per purchase.

Curbing Reseller Interest

According to an official statement, a portion of the merchandise may also be available outside the institution itself. However, a wider release will only be specific stores in the United Kingdom. Critically, collectors will not be able to purchase the card through the online Pokémon Center. While reseller interest is a given, the setup suggests they will have a difficult time hoarding mass quantities this time around. If you're unable to attend, consider an alternative like Pokémon Fossil exhibit headed to Chicago later this year.

"All profits of sales from the Museum shop and from its web shop, which covers these items, support the Natural History Museum’s non-profit work. That encompasses the research of hundreds of researchers dedicated to scientific inquiry to discover answers to the global ecological crisis," the statement notes.