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Marking the launch of a captivating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, an exciting partnership is underway. The Pokémon Company and London's Natural History Museum are opening a temporary store featuring exclusive items. Enthusiasts can look forward to offerings including stationery, plushes, and artwork all drawing from the museum's theme. The big draw, though, is a specially made Pikachu card, offered as a gift with purchase at the pop-up. The store will operate from on-site at the museum and its web counterpart between late January and mid-April.

The Book That Inspires the Partnership

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology is a highly anticipated tome filled with stunning illustrations depicting Pokémon in their natural habitats. It's essentially like the kind of research an in-world scientist could produce after trainers provide field notes, or what Charles Darwin could have sketched if the Galapagos teemed with Pidgeys rather than birds. A key appeal lies in the book's scholarly treatment, presenting Pokémon as a legitimate scientific inquiry. Author Yoshinari Yonehara and illustrator Chihiro Kinoshita both hold PhDs in animal behavior and ecology.

What Makes This Special Card Stand Out

It is common for The Pokémon Company to release promos for big events and crossover partnerships. A lot of these collector items often feature the famous mouse Pokémon who serves as the franchise mascot. The factor setting this new promotion apart is its unusually large size. While exact measurements have not been publicly disclosed, availability is guaranteed to be highly restricted, and fans limited to only a single card per purchase.

Limiting Reseller Activity

Per a company statement, a portion of the pop-up items may also be available outside the institution itself. However, broader availability will only be select retailers within the United Kingdom. Importantly, collectors will not be able to acquire the card via the online Pokémon Center. Although reseller interest is inevitable, the setup suggests they will have a difficult time hoarding mass quantities this time around. If you're unable to attend, consider an alternative like fossil-themed display coming to Chicago in the coming months.

"Every penny from purchases made in the museum store and from its web shop, including these items, support the Natural History Museum’s non-profit work. This includes the efforts of 400 scientists who are scientific inquiry to discover solutions to the global ecological crisis," the statement notes.