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To celebrate the launch of a captivating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, a unique collaboration is underway. Pokémon's creators and the Natural History Museum will launch a temporary store featuring special merchandise. Fans will find products like plush toys, art prints, and writing supplies that are drawing from the institution's aesthetic. The big draw, though, will be a limited-edition Pikachu card, offered as a free bonus for the pop-up. The store will operate from on-site at the museum and online from January 26 to April 19.

The Book Behind the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology is a highly anticipated tome filled with beautiful illustrations that show Pokémon in their wild environments. The concept is what a Pokémon Professor could produce once adventurers provide field notes, or a naturalist's journal might have created if the famous islands teemed with flying-types instead of birds. A key appeal stems from the book's serious treatment, presenting Pokémon as a legitimate subject for study. Author Yoshinari Yonehara and illustrator Chihiro Kinoshita both hold PhDs in animal behavior and ecology.

What Makes This Special Card Different

The company regularly for The Pokémon Company to release cards celebrating big events or brand collaborations. A lot of these collector items often feature the famous mouse Pokémon that acts as the franchise mascot. The factor setting this new promotion apart however, is the distinctly bigger dimensions. Although exact measurements were not immediately shared, its distribution will certainly be strictly limited, and fans able to get only a single card per purchase.

Curbing Speculator Interest

According to an official statement, some of the pop-up items may also be available outside the institution itself. However, broader availability is slated for specific stores within the United Kingdom. Importantly, fans will not be able to purchase the card through the official web shop. Although reseller interest is inevitable, the setup suggests they will have trouble stockpiling large numbers on this occasion. For those feeling left out, consider the upcoming Pokémon Fossil exhibit coming to the Windy City in the coming months.

"All profits of sales from the museum store and from its online store, which covers these items, go toward the Natural History Museum’s non-profit work. This includes the efforts of hundreds of researchers dedicated to conducting studies and finding answers to the global ecological crisis," it says.