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Marking the launch of a captivating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, an exciting partnership is underway. Pokémon's creators and the Natural History Museum are opening a temporary store stocked with special merchandise. Fans will find offerings including plush toys, art prints, and writing supplies that are drawing from the museum's theme. The big draw, though, is a specially made Pikachu card, offered as a gift with purchase for the pop-up. This shop is scheduled both on-site at the museum to online from January 26 to April 19.

Pokécology That Inspires the Partnership

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology is a highly anticipated tome filled with beautiful artwork that show creatures in their natural habitats. It's essentially like the kind of research an in-world scientist might publish once adventurers submit their data, or what Charles Darwin could have sketched if the famous islands teemed with Pidgeys instead of finches. Part of the charm stems from the book's scholarly treatment, treating Pokémon as a legitimate scientific inquiry. Writer Yoshinari Yonehara together with illustrator Chihiro Kinoshita each possess doctorate degrees in animal behavior and ecology.

What Makes This Promo Card Different

The company regularly for The Pokémon Company to release cards celebrating major tournaments and brand collaborations. A lot such collector items often feature the famous electric rodent that acts as the franchise mascot. The factor setting this new promotion apart is its distinctly bigger size. While precise specs were not publicly disclosed, availability will certainly be strictly limited, with customers able to get only a single card with each transaction.

Curbing Speculator Activity

According to an official announcement, some of the merchandise will also be sold outside the museum walls. However, a wider release is slated for select retailers within the UK. Critically, collectors will not be able to purchase this promo via the official web shop. While reseller interest is a given, the setup suggests they will have a difficult time stockpiling large numbers on this occasion. If you're unable to attend, there is the upcoming Pokémon Fossil exhibit headed to the Windy City later this year.

"Every penny of sales made in the Museum shop and from its web shop, including Pokémon products, support the Natural History Museum’s charitable mission. That encompasses the efforts of 400 scientists who are scientific inquiry to discover solutions to the planetary emergency," it says.