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To celebrate the launch of a captivating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, an exciting collaboration is underway. Pokémon's creators alongside the Natural History Museum are opening a temporary store stocked with special merchandise. Enthusiasts can look forward to products like stationery, plushes, and artwork all inspired by the institution's theme. For collectors, however, is a limited-edition Pikachu card, given as a gift with purchase for the pop-up. The store will operate both on-site at the museum and its web counterpart between late January and mid-April.

Pokécology That Inspires the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a highly anticipated tome packed with stunning illustrations that show Pokémon in their wild environments. The concept is the kind of research a Pokémon Professor could produce once adventurers provide field notes, or a naturalist's journal could have sketched if the famous islands teemed with flying-types rather than finches. Part of the charm stems from the book's serious treatment, treating Pokémon as a legitimate scientific study. Author Yoshinari Yonehara and artist Chihiro Kinoshita each possess doctorate degrees in ecology and behavioral science.

Why This Special Card Different

The company regularly for The Pokémon Company to release cards celebrating big events and crossover partnerships. Many such promotional cards often feature the iconic electric rodent that acts as the franchise mascot. The factor setting this new promotion apart is its unusually large dimensions. While exact measurements have not been immediately shared, its distribution will certainly be highly restricted, and customers limited to only a single card with each transaction.

Curbing Reseller Activity

Per a company statement, a portion of the pop-up items will also be sold beyond the museum walls. However, a wider release will only be select retailers in the UK. Critically, collectors cannot purchase this promo via the official web shop. While speculator demand is a given, the setup suggests they will have trouble hoarding mass quantities this time around. If you're unable to attend, there is the upcoming fossil-themed display headed to Chicago in the coming months.

"All profits of sales made in the Museum shop and from its web shop, which covers these items, support the Natural History Museum’s non-profit work. This includes the efforts of hundreds of researchers dedicated to conducting studies to discover answers to the planetary emergency," the statement says.