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Marking the arrival of a captivating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, a unique collaboration is underway. The Pokémon Company and London's Natural History Museum will launch a pop-up shop stocked with exclusive merchandise. Enthusiasts can look forward to offerings including stationery, plushes, and artwork all inspired by the museum's aesthetic. The big draw, however, will be a specially made Pikachu card, given as a free bonus at the pop-up. This shop will operate from the physical location to online from January 26 to April 19.

The Book That Inspires the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology is a highly anticipated volume filled with stunning artwork depicting Pokémon in their natural habitats. It's essentially is what an in-world scientist might publish once trainers submit their data, alternatively a naturalist's journal might have created had the Galapagos were populated by Pidgeys instead of finches. A key appeal stems from the book's scholarly treatment, presenting Pokémon as a legitimate scientific study. Writer Yoshinari Yonehara and illustrator Chihiro Kinoshita each possess PhDs in animal behavior and ecology.

What Makes This Promo Card Stand Out

It is common for The Pokémon Company to release promos for major tournaments or crossover partnerships. Many such promotional cards often feature the iconic mouse Pokémon who serves as the franchise mascot. The factor setting this new promotion apart however, is the unusually large size. While precise specs have not been publicly disclosed, its distribution is guaranteed to be highly restricted, and customers limited to just one card per purchase.

Curbing Reseller Activity

According to a company statement, a portion of the pop-up items may also be available outside the institution itself. But, broader availability will only be select retailers within the UK. Critically, fans will not be able to acquire the card through the official web shop. Although reseller interest is a given, it appears they're going to have trouble stockpiling large numbers on this occasion. For those feeling left out, there is an alternative like fossil-themed display coming to the Windy City later this year.

"Every penny from purchases from the Museum shop and from its online store, including these items, support the Natural History Museum’s charitable mission. This includes the research of hundreds of researchers dedicated to conducting studies to discover solutions to the global ecological crisis," the statement notes.