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To celebrate the arrival of a captivating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, a unique partnership is underway. The Pokémon Company alongside London's Natural History Museum are opening a pop-up shop featuring exclusive items. Fans can look forward to offerings including plush toys, art prints, and writing supplies that are inspired by the museum's theme. For collectors, however, will be a limited-edition Pikachu card, given as a free bonus for the pop-up. The store is scheduled both the physical location and online between late January and mid-April.

The Book Behind the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a highly anticipated tome filled with beautiful artwork depicting creatures in their wild environments. It's essentially is the kind of research an in-world scientist might publish once adventurers provide field notes, alternatively a naturalist's journal could have sketched if the Galapagos were populated by Pidgeys rather than birds. Part of the charm stems from the book's scholarly approach, treating Pokémon as worthy of scientific inquiry. Writer Yoshinari Yonehara together with illustrator Chihiro Kinoshita each possess doctorate degrees in ecology and behavioral science.

What Makes This Promo Card Different

It is common to issue special edition cards celebrating big events or crossover partnerships. A lot such collector items often feature the famous mouse Pokémon who serves as the series face. What distinguishes this new promotion apart is its unusually large dimensions. Although precise specs were not publicly disclosed, its distribution will certainly be highly restricted, and customers able to get only a single card per purchase.

Curbing Speculator Activity

According to a company announcement, a portion of the pop-up items will also be sold beyond the institution itself. But, broader availability will only be specific stores within the United Kingdom. Critically, collectors will not be able to acquire this promo via the online Pokémon Center. Although speculator demand is inevitable, it appears they're going to have trouble stockpiling large numbers this time around. If you're feeling left out, there is the upcoming fossil-themed display headed to the Windy City in the coming months.

"Every penny from purchases from the museum store and its online store, which covers Pokémon products, support the Natural History Museum’s charitable mission. This includes the efforts of 400 scientists who are conducting studies to discover answers to the planetary emergency," the statement notes.