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Marking the arrival of the fascinating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, an exciting partnership is underway. The Pokémon Company alongside London's Natural History Museum will launch a temporary store featuring exclusive merchandise. Enthusiasts will find offerings including stationery, plushes, and artwork that are inspired by the museum's aesthetic. The big draw, though, will be a limited-edition Pikachu card, given as a gift with purchase for the pop-up. The store will operate from on-site at the museum and its web counterpart between late January and mid-April.

Pokécology That Inspires the Partnership

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a much-awaited volume filled with beautiful artwork depicting Pokémon in their wild environments. It's essentially like the kind of research an in-world scientist could produce after trainers provide field notes, alternatively a naturalist's journal might have created had the Galapagos teemed with Pidgeys instead of birds. Part of the charm stems from the book's scholarly treatment, presenting Pokémon as worthy of scientific study. Author Yoshinari Yonehara together with artist Chihiro Kinoshita each possess PhDs in ecology and behavioral science.

Why This Promo Card Different

It is common for The Pokémon Company special edition promos for big events and brand collaborations. Many of these collector items often feature the iconic electric rodent that acts as the series face. The factor setting this latest museum card however, is the distinctly bigger dimensions. Although exact measurements have not been immediately shared, availability is guaranteed to be strictly limited, with customers limited to just one card per purchase.

Limiting Reseller Activity

According to an official statement, some of the pop-up items will also be sold beyond the institution itself. But, a wider release will only be specific stores in the UK. Importantly, fans cannot purchase this promo through the official web shop. Although speculator demand is a given, the setup suggests they will have a difficult time stockpiling large numbers on this occasion. If you're feeling left out, consider the upcoming Pokémon Fossil exhibit coming to Chicago later this year.

"All profits of sales from the museum store and from its web shop, including these items, support the Natural History Museum’s non-profit work. This includes the research of 400 scientists dedicated to scientific inquiry and finding solutions to the global ecological crisis," the statement says.