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Marking the launch of a captivating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, a unique collaboration is underway. Pokémon's creators and London's Natural History Museum will launch a pop-up shop featuring exclusive merchandise. Fans can look forward to products like stationery, plushes, and artwork all drawing from the institution's theme. The big draw, however, is a limited-edition Pikachu card, offered as a gift with purchase at the pop-up. This shop will operate from the physical location to its web counterpart between late January and mid-April.

The Book That Inspires the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a much-awaited tome filled with stunning artwork depicting creatures in their wild environments. It's essentially is the kind of research an in-world scientist could produce after trainers provide field notes, alternatively a naturalist's journal might have created if the Galapagos were populated by Pidgeys instead of birds. A key appeal stems from the book's serious approach, treating Pokémon as worthy of subject for study. Author Yoshinari Yonehara and artist Chihiro Kinoshita each possess PhDs in ecology and behavioral science.

Why This Special Card Stand Out

The company regularly for The Pokémon Company to release cards celebrating major tournaments or brand collaborations. A lot of these promotional cards often feature the famous mouse Pokémon that acts as the series face. The factor setting this latest promotion apart however, is the unusually large size. While exact measurements have not been immediately shared, its distribution will certainly be highly restricted, and customers able to get just one card with each transaction.

Limiting Reseller Activity

Per an official announcement, some of the merchandise will also be sold outside the museum walls. However, a wider release will only be select retailers in the UK. Critically, fans will not be able to acquire the card via the online Pokémon Center. Although speculator demand is inevitable, it appears they're going to have trouble hoarding mass quantities this time around. For those feeling left out, there is an alternative like Pokémon Fossil exhibit coming to the Windy City later this year.

"All profits of sales from the Museum shop and its online store, including these items, support the Natural History Museum’s non-profit work. This includes the research of hundreds of researchers who are scientific inquiry to discover answers to the global ecological crisis," the statement notes.