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To celebrate the arrival 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 are opening a pop-up shop stocked with exclusive items. Enthusiasts will find offerings including stationery, plushes, and artwork that are inspired by the museum's aesthetic. The big draw, however, will be a specially made Pikachu card, offered as a free bonus at the pop-up. This shop will operate both the physical location to its web counterpart between late January and mid-April.

Pokécology Behind the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a much-awaited tome packed with beautiful illustrations depicting creatures in their natural habitats. The concept like what an in-world scientist could produce once adventurers submit their data, or what Charles Darwin might have created if the famous islands teemed with Pidgeys rather than birds. Part of the charm stems from the book's scholarly approach, presenting Pokémon as a legitimate scientific study. Writer Yoshinari Yonehara together with illustrator Chihiro Kinoshita both hold PhDs in animal behavior and ecology.

What Makes This Special Card Different

It is common for The Pokémon Company special edition cards celebrating big events and crossover partnerships. Many such collector items often feature the famous mouse Pokémon who serves as the franchise mascot. The factor setting this new museum card however, is the unusually large dimensions. While exact measurements were not publicly disclosed, availability is guaranteed to be highly restricted, and fans able to get just one card per purchase.

Limiting Speculator Interest

Per an official statement, some of the pop-up items may also be available beyond the institution itself. However, broader availability is slated for select retailers in the United Kingdom. Importantly, collectors cannot purchase this promo via the online Pokémon Center. While reseller interest is inevitable, the setup suggests 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 coming to Chicago later this year.

"All profits of sales from the Museum shop and from its online store, which covers Pokémon products, go toward the Natural History Museum’s charitable mission. That encompasses the research of 400 scientists who are conducting studies to discover solutions to the global ecological crisis," it notes.