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To celebrate the arrival of a captivating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, an exciting partnership is underway. The Pokémon Company and London's Natural History Museum will launch a pop-up shop featuring special items. Fans will find offerings including plush toys, art prints, and writing supplies that are drawing from the institution's theme. For collectors, though, will be a specially made Pikachu card, offered as a free bonus at the pop-up. The store is scheduled both the physical location and 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 volume filled with stunning illustrations that show creatures in their wild environments. It's essentially like the kind of research a Pokémon Professor could produce once trainers provide field notes, or a naturalist's journal might have created if the Galapagos teemed with Pidgeys instead of birds. A key appeal stems from the book's scholarly approach, presenting Pokémon as worthy of scientific inquiry. Writer Yoshinari Yonehara and illustrator Chihiro Kinoshita both hold PhDs in animal behavior and ecology.

Why This Promo Card Different

The company regularly to issue special edition promos celebrating major tournaments and crossover partnerships. Many such promotional cards typically highlight the iconic electric rodent that acts as the franchise mascot. What distinguishes this latest promotion apart however, is the unusually large size. While precise specs were not publicly disclosed, its distribution will certainly be highly restricted, with customers limited to just one card with each transaction.

Limiting Reseller Interest

Per an official statement, some of the pop-up items may also be available beyond the institution itself. However, broader availability will only be select retailers within the UK. Critically, fans cannot acquire this promo through the official web shop. While reseller interest is a given, it appears they're going to have a difficult time hoarding mass quantities this time around. If you're feeling left out, consider the upcoming Pokémon Fossil exhibit headed to Chicago in the coming months.

"All profits from purchases made in the museum store and from its online store, including Pokémon products, support the Natural History Museum’s non-profit work. This includes the research of hundreds of researchers who are conducting studies to discover solutions to the planetary emergency," it says.