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To celebrate the launch of a captivating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, a unique collaboration has been formed. Pokémon's creators alongside London's Natural History Museum will launch a pop-up shop stocked with special items. Fans can look forward to offerings including stationery, plushes, and artwork all inspired by the museum's aesthetic. The big draw, though, is a limited-edition Pikachu card, given as a gift with purchase at the pop-up. This shop will operate from the physical location to its web counterpart between late January and mid-April.

The Book Behind the Partnership

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a highly anticipated volume packed with beautiful artwork that show Pokémon in their wild environments. It's essentially is what a Pokémon Professor might publish after adventurers submit their data, or what Charles Darwin might have created if the Galapagos teemed with flying-types instead of birds. A key appeal stems from the book's scholarly treatment, treating Pokémon as a legitimate subject for study. Writer Yoshinari Yonehara and artist Chihiro Kinoshita both hold PhDs in ecology and behavioral science.

Why This Special Card Different

The company regularly to issue special edition promos celebrating big events and crossover partnerships. Many such promotional cards typically highlight the iconic mouse Pokémon that acts as the series face. The factor setting this new museum card is its unusually large size. Although exact measurements have not been publicly disclosed, availability is guaranteed to be highly restricted, with customers able to get only a single card per purchase.

Curbing Reseller Activity

Per an official statement, a portion of the pop-up items will also be sold beyond the institution itself. But, a wider release is slated for specific stores within the UK. Critically, collectors will not be able to purchase the card through the official web shop. While reseller interest is a given, it appears they will have a difficult time hoarding mass quantities on this occasion. If you're feeling left out, there is the upcoming fossil-themed display coming to the Windy City later this year.

"Every penny of sales made in the Museum shop and from its web shop, including Pokémon products, support the Natural History Museum’s charitable mission. That encompasses the efforts of hundreds of researchers dedicated to conducting studies to discover solutions to the planetary emergency," the statement notes.