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Marking the arrival of the fascinating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, a unique partnership has been formed. Pokémon's creators and the Natural History Museum are opening a temporary store stocked with special items. Fans will find offerings including plush toys, art prints, and writing supplies all inspired by the institution's theme. The big draw, though, will be a specially made Pikachu card, offered as a free bonus at the pop-up. This shop will operate from the physical location and online from January 26 to April 19.

Pokécology Behind the Partnership

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a highly anticipated tome packed with stunning illustrations that show creatures in their wild environments. The concept is the kind of research a Pokémon Professor might publish once trainers provide field notes, alternatively a naturalist's journal could have sketched had the Galapagos were populated by flying-types instead of finches. A key appeal stems from the book's scholarly treatment, treating Pokémon as a legitimate scientific inquiry. Author Yoshinari Yonehara and artist Chihiro Kinoshita each possess PhDs in ecology and behavioral science.

Why This Promo Card Different

It is common for The Pokémon Company special edition promos celebrating big events and brand collaborations. Many such collector items typically highlight the famous mouse Pokémon who serves as the franchise mascot. The factor setting this new museum card however, is the distinctly bigger size. While precise specs have not been publicly disclosed, availability will certainly be highly restricted, with customers limited to only a single card per purchase.

Curbing Reseller Interest

Per a company announcement, some of the pop-up items will also be sold outside the museum walls. But, broader availability is slated for select retailers within the United Kingdom. Critically, collectors cannot purchase the card via the official web shop. While reseller interest is a given, the setup suggests they will have trouble hoarding mass quantities this time around. If you're feeling left out, consider the upcoming Pokémon Fossil exhibit headed to Chicago later this year.

"All profits from purchases made in the museum store and from its web shop, which covers these items, support the Natural History Museum’s non-profit work. This includes the efforts of hundreds of researchers who are conducting studies and finding answers to the planetary emergency," it says.