🔗 Share this article

Marking the launch of the fascinating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, a unique collaboration has been formed. The Pokémon Company and London's Natural History Museum will launch a pop-up shop stocked with special items. Fans will find offerings including plush toys, art prints, and writing supplies all drawing from the institution's theme. The big draw, though, is a limited-edition Pikachu card, given as a gift with purchase for the pop-up. The store is scheduled both on-site at the museum to online from January 26 to April 19.

The Book Behind the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a much-awaited tome filled with beautiful artwork that show creatures in their natural habitats. The concept like what a Pokémon Professor might publish after adventurers submit their data, or a naturalist's journal could have sketched had the Galapagos were populated by flying-types instead of finches. Part of the charm lies in the book's serious approach, treating Pokémon as worthy of subject for inquiry. Writer Yoshinari Yonehara and illustrator Chihiro Kinoshita each possess PhDs in animal behavior and ecology.

Why This Special Card Different

The company regularly for The Pokémon Company special edition cards celebrating big events or crossover partnerships. A lot such collector items often feature the iconic mouse Pokémon that acts as the series face. The factor setting this new promotion apart however, is the distinctly bigger size. While precise specs were not immediately shared, availability is guaranteed to be strictly limited, with customers able to get only a single card with each transaction.

Curbing Reseller Interest

Per a company statement, a portion of the merchandise may also be available beyond the institution itself. However, broader availability will only be select retailers in the UK. Importantly, collectors cannot acquire this promo via the official web shop. While reseller interest is inevitable, the setup suggests they will have a difficult time hoarding mass quantities on this occasion. For those unable to attend, consider an alternative like Pokémon Fossil exhibit coming to Chicago in the coming months.

"All profits from purchases from the museum store and its web shop, which covers Pokémon products, support the Natural History Museum’s charitable mission. This includes the research of hundreds of researchers dedicated to scientific inquiry to discover answers to the global ecological crisis," the statement says.