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Marking the arrival of the fascinating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, a unique collaboration has been formed. The Pokémon Company alongside London's Natural History Museum are opening a temporary store featuring exclusive merchandise. Fans can look forward to products like stationery, plushes, and artwork all inspired by the museum's aesthetic. The big draw, though, is a specially made Pikachu card, given as a gift with purchase at the pop-up. This shop is scheduled both on-site at the museum and its web counterpart from January 26 to April 19.

Pokécology That Inspires the Partnership

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a highly anticipated tome filled with beautiful artwork depicting Pokémon in their wild environments. It's essentially is what a Pokémon Professor might publish once trainers submit their data, alternatively what Charles Darwin might have created had the famous islands were populated by Pidgeys rather than birds. Part of the charm stems from the book's serious treatment, treating Pokémon as a legitimate scientific study. Author Yoshinari Yonehara and artist Chihiro Kinoshita each possess PhDs in ecology and behavioral science.

Why This Promo Card Stand Out

It is common to issue special edition cards celebrating major tournaments and brand collaborations. A lot of these promotional cards typically highlight the iconic electric rodent that acts as the franchise mascot. The factor setting this new promotion apart however, is the distinctly bigger size. While exact measurements were not immediately shared, its distribution will certainly be strictly limited, with fans able to get just one card per purchase.

Limiting Reseller Interest

According to an official announcement, a portion of the merchandise will also be sold beyond the institution itself. However, broader availability is slated for specific stores in the UK. Critically, fans cannot acquire the card through the online Pokémon Center. While reseller interest is inevitable, the setup suggests they will have trouble hoarding mass quantities this time around. If you're feeling left out, there is the upcoming Pokémon Fossil exhibit headed to the Windy City in the coming months.

"All profits from purchases from the museum store and its online store, which covers Pokémon products, go toward the Natural History Museum’s non-profit work. That encompasses the efforts of hundreds of researchers dedicated to conducting studies and finding solutions to the global ecological crisis," it says.