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To celebrate the arrival of the fascinating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, a unique collaboration has been formed. Pokémon's creators and London's Natural History Museum are opening a temporary store stocked with special items. Fans can look forward to offerings including plush toys, art prints, and writing supplies all inspired by the institution's aesthetic. For collectors, however, will be a specially made Pikachu card, given as a gift with purchase for the pop-up. The store is scheduled from on-site at the museum to its web counterpart between late January and mid-April.

The Book That Inspires the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a highly anticipated tome filled with beautiful artwork that show Pokémon in their wild environments. It's essentially like the kind of research an in-world scientist might publish after trainers submit their data, or what Charles Darwin might have created if the Galapagos were populated by Pidgeys instead of birds. Part of the charm lies in the book's serious treatment, treating Pokémon as a legitimate scientific inquiry. Writer Yoshinari Yonehara and artist Chihiro Kinoshita each possess PhDs in animal behavior and ecology.

What Makes This Promo Card Stand Out

It is common for The Pokémon Company special edition cards for major tournaments and brand collaborations. A lot of these collector items often feature the iconic mouse Pokémon that acts as the series face. The factor setting this new museum card is its distinctly bigger dimensions. Although precise specs were not publicly disclosed, its distribution is guaranteed to be strictly limited, with customers able to get only a single card with each transaction.

Curbing Reseller Activity

According to a company statement, some of the merchandise will also be sold outside the institution itself. However, a wider release is slated for specific stores in the United Kingdom. Importantly, fans will not be able to acquire this promo via the online Pokémon Center. Although speculator demand is inevitable, the setup suggests they will have trouble hoarding mass quantities this time around. If you're unable to attend, there is the upcoming Pokémon Fossil exhibit headed to the Windy City in the coming months.

"All profits from purchases from the Museum shop and its online store, including these items, go toward the Natural History Museum’s non-profit work. This includes the research of 400 scientists who are scientific inquiry and finding answers to the global ecological crisis," it notes.