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To celebrate the arrival of the fascinating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, a unique partnership is underway. The Pokémon Company alongside the Natural History Museum will launch a pop-up shop featuring special merchandise. Enthusiasts can look forward to offerings including stationery, plushes, and artwork that are drawing from the museum's aesthetic. The big draw, however, is a specially made Pikachu card, offered as a gift with purchase for the pop-up. This shop is scheduled both the physical location to online between late January and mid-April.

The Book Behind the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology is a highly anticipated tome packed with beautiful illustrations depicting creatures in their natural habitats. The concept like the kind of research an in-world scientist could produce once adventurers submit their data, or what Charles Darwin could have sketched if the famous islands teemed with Pidgeys rather than birds. A key appeal stems from the book's serious approach, presenting Pokémon as worthy of subject for inquiry. Writer Yoshinari Yonehara and artist Chihiro Kinoshita both hold doctorate degrees in animal behavior and ecology.

Why This Special Card Different

It is common to issue to release promos for major tournaments or crossover partnerships. A lot such collector items often feature the iconic electric rodent who serves as the series face. What distinguishes this new promotion apart however, is the distinctly bigger dimensions. Although exact measurements have not been immediately shared, availability is guaranteed to be highly restricted, with fans limited to only a single card with each transaction.

Curbing Speculator Activity

Per an official announcement, some of the pop-up items may also be available outside the institution itself. But, broader availability will only be select retailers in the United Kingdom. Critically, collectors cannot purchase this promo via the official web shop. While speculator demand is inevitable, it appears they're going to have a difficult time stockpiling large numbers this time around. For those unable to attend, there is the upcoming fossil-themed display coming to the Windy City in the coming months.

"Every penny of sales from the Museum shop and its web shop, which covers Pokémon products, support the Natural History Museum’s charitable mission. That encompasses the efforts of hundreds of researchers dedicated to scientific inquiry and finding answers to the global ecological crisis," the statement says.