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Marking the launch of the fascinating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, an exciting collaboration has been formed. Pokémon's creators and London's Natural History Museum are opening a temporary store stocked with exclusive items. Fans can look forward to offerings including plush toys, art prints, and writing supplies that are drawing from the museum's aesthetic. For collectors, though, will be a limited-edition Pikachu card, given as a gift with purchase at the pop-up. The store is scheduled from the physical location to its web counterpart between late January and mid-April.

Pokécology That Inspires the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a much-awaited volume packed with beautiful artwork depicting creatures in their wild environments. It's essentially like what an in-world scientist could produce after adventurers provide field notes, or what Charles Darwin might have created if the Galapagos were populated by Pidgeys instead of birds. Part of the charm stems from the book's scholarly treatment, presenting Pokémon as a legitimate scientific inquiry. Writer Yoshinari Yonehara together with illustrator Chihiro Kinoshita each possess PhDs in animal behavior and ecology.

What Makes This Special Card Different

The company regularly for The Pokémon Company to release cards for major tournaments and brand collaborations. Many of these promotional cards often feature the famous mouse Pokémon who serves as the franchise mascot. The factor setting this new promotion apart is its unusually large size. While exact measurements have not been publicly disclosed, availability is guaranteed to be highly restricted, and fans limited to just one card with each transaction.

Limiting Reseller Interest

Per a company statement, a portion of the pop-up items may also be available beyond the museum walls. But, a wider release will only be specific stores within the United Kingdom. Importantly, fans will not be able to acquire 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 on this occasion. For those feeling left out, there is the upcoming Pokémon Fossil exhibit headed to the Windy City later this year.

"All profits of sales made in the museum store and from its web shop, including Pokémon products, go toward the Natural History Museum’s charitable mission. That encompasses the efforts of 400 scientists who are scientific inquiry to discover answers to the global ecological crisis," the statement notes.