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To celebrate the launch of a captivating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, an exciting collaboration has been formed. The Pokémon Company alongside London's Natural History Museum will launch a pop-up shop featuring special merchandise. Enthusiasts can look forward to products like plush toys, art prints, and writing supplies that are drawing from the institution's theme. For collectors, however, is 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 online from January 26 to April 19.

Pokécology That Inspires the Partnership

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a much-awaited tome filled with stunning illustrations depicting Pokémon in their natural habitats. It's essentially like the kind of research an in-world scientist could produce once adventurers submit their data, or a naturalist's journal might have created had the Galapagos were populated by Pidgeys instead of birds. Part of the charm stems from the book's scholarly treatment, presenting Pokémon as a legitimate scientific inquiry. Author Yoshinari Yonehara together with artist Chihiro Kinoshita each possess PhDs in ecology and behavioral science.

What Makes This Special Card Stand Out

The company regularly to issue to release cards celebrating major tournaments or crossover partnerships. Many of these collector items typically highlight the iconic electric rodent that acts as the series face. The factor setting this latest promotion apart however, is the distinctly bigger size. Although exact measurements have not been publicly disclosed, its distribution is guaranteed to be strictly limited, and fans able to get only a single card per purchase.

Curbing Speculator Interest

According to an official announcement, some of the merchandise will also be sold beyond the institution itself. However, a wider release is slated for select retailers in the United Kingdom. Importantly, fans cannot purchase this promo via the online Pokémon Center. While reseller interest is inevitable, the setup suggests they're going to have trouble hoarding mass quantities this time around. If you're unable to attend, consider an alternative like Pokémon Fossil exhibit coming to the Windy City in the coming months.

"All profits from purchases from the Museum shop and from its web shop, including these items, support the Natural History Museum’s charitable mission. That encompasses the research of hundreds of researchers dedicated to scientific inquiry to discover solutions to the global ecological crisis," the statement notes.