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To celebrate the arrival of a captivating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, a unique collaboration is underway. Pokémon's creators alongside London's Natural History Museum are opening a pop-up shop stocked with special items. Enthusiasts can look forward to products like stationery, plushes, and artwork all drawing from the institution's theme. The big draw, though, will be a specially made Pikachu card, offered as a gift with purchase at the pop-up. The store is scheduled from on-site at the museum to online between late January and mid-April.

Pokécology That Inspires the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a highly anticipated volume filled with beautiful illustrations depicting Pokémon in their wild environments. The concept is the kind of research an in-world scientist might publish once trainers submit their data, or a naturalist's journal could have sketched if the famous islands were populated by Pidgeys instead of finches. Part of the charm stems from the book's scholarly treatment, presenting Pokémon as worthy of scientific study. Writer Yoshinari Yonehara together with artist Chihiro Kinoshita both hold PhDs in animal behavior and ecology.

What Makes This Special Card Different

It is common for The Pokémon Company special edition promos celebrating major tournaments and brand collaborations. A lot such promotional cards typically highlight the famous electric rodent who serves as the series face. The factor setting this new promotion apart is its unusually large dimensions. While precise specs have not been publicly disclosed, its distribution is guaranteed to be highly restricted, with fans limited to only a single card with each transaction.

Limiting Speculator Activity

According to an official announcement, a portion of the merchandise will also be sold beyond the institution itself. But, a wider release will only be specific stores within the United Kingdom. Importantly, fans will not be able to purchase this promo via the online Pokémon Center. While speculator demand is a given, the setup suggests they will have a difficult time stockpiling large numbers this time around. If you're feeling left out, consider the upcoming Pokémon Fossil exhibit headed to Chicago in the coming months.

"All profits of sales made in the Museum shop and its online store, which covers Pokémon products, support the Natural History Museum’s non-profit work. That encompasses the research of hundreds of researchers dedicated to conducting studies and finding solutions to the global ecological crisis," it notes.