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Marking the launch of a captivating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, an exciting collaboration is underway. The Pokémon Company and London's Natural History Museum are opening a pop-up shop stocked with exclusive items. Fans can look forward to products like plush toys, art prints, and writing supplies that are inspired by the institution's aesthetic. For collectors, however, will be a specially made Pikachu card, given as a free bonus at the pop-up. The store is scheduled 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 volume filled with stunning illustrations depicting Pokémon in their natural habitats. It's essentially like the kind of research a Pokémon Professor might publish once trainers provide field notes, or a naturalist's journal might have created if the Galapagos teemed with flying-types rather than finches. Part of the charm lies in the book's serious treatment, presenting Pokémon as worthy of subject for study. Author Yoshinari Yonehara together with artist Chihiro Kinoshita both hold PhDs in animal behavior and ecology.

Why This Promo Card Different

It is common for The Pokémon Company special edition cards celebrating big events and brand collaborations. A lot of these collector items often feature the famous electric rodent that acts as the series face. What distinguishes this new museum card is its unusually large size. While exact measurements were not immediately shared, its distribution is guaranteed to be highly restricted, and fans limited to just one card with each transaction.

Curbing Reseller Interest

According to an official statement, some of the pop-up items may also be available outside the institution itself. But, broader availability is slated for select retailers in the United Kingdom. Critically, collectors will not be able to acquire the card through the online Pokémon Center. While reseller interest is inevitable, it appears they will have trouble hoarding mass quantities on this occasion. If you're feeling left out, consider an alternative like Pokémon Fossil exhibit headed to the Windy City in the coming months.

"All profits from purchases made in the Museum shop and from its online store, including these items, support the Natural History Museum’s charitable mission. That encompasses the efforts of hundreds of researchers dedicated to scientific inquiry to discover solutions to the global ecological crisis," it says.