🔗 Share this article

To celebrate the arrival of the fascinating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, an exciting partnership has been formed. The Pokémon Company and London's Natural History Museum will launch a pop-up shop featuring exclusive items. Enthusiasts can look forward to offerings including stationery, plushes, and artwork that are inspired by the institution's theme. For collectors, however, is a specially made Pikachu card, given as a free bonus at the pop-up. The store is scheduled from the physical location to its web counterpart from January 26 to April 19.

The Book That Inspires the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology is a highly anticipated tome packed with beautiful artwork that show creatures in their natural habitats. The concept is the kind of research an in-world scientist might publish after trainers submit their data, or a naturalist's journal might have created if the famous islands were populated by Pidgeys rather than finches. Part of the charm lies in the book's scholarly treatment, presenting Pokémon as a legitimate scientific study. Author Yoshinari Yonehara together with artist Chihiro Kinoshita both hold doctorate degrees in animal behavior and ecology.

What Makes This Promo Card Stand Out

The company regularly to issue to release promos for big events or crossover partnerships. A lot of these collector items typically highlight the iconic mouse Pokémon who serves as the franchise mascot. The factor setting this latest museum card however, is the unusually large dimensions. Although exact measurements have not been publicly disclosed, availability will certainly be highly restricted, with customers able to get just one card with each transaction.

Curbing Speculator Activity

According to a company announcement, a portion of the pop-up items will also be sold outside the museum walls. But, broader availability is slated for select retailers in the UK. Importantly, fans cannot acquire this promo through the official web shop. Although speculator demand is inevitable, the setup suggests they will have trouble stockpiling large numbers this time around. If you're unable to attend, consider an alternative like Pokémon Fossil exhibit coming to the Windy City in the coming months.

"All profits of sales from the museum store and from its online store, which covers Pokémon products, support the Natural History Museum’s non-profit work. That encompasses the research of 400 scientists who are conducting studies and finding solutions to the planetary emergency," it notes.