🔗 Share this article

Marking the launch of a captivating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, a unique partnership has been formed. Pokémon's creators and London's Natural History Museum will launch a pop-up shop featuring exclusive merchandise. Enthusiasts can look forward to offerings including stationery, plushes, and artwork that are drawing from the museum's aesthetic. For collectors, however, is a specially made Pikachu card, given as a gift with purchase at the pop-up. The store is scheduled from on-site at the museum and online between late January and mid-April.

The Book That Inspires the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology is a highly anticipated volume filled with stunning artwork depicting creatures in their wild environments. The concept like what a Pokémon Professor could produce once adventurers provide field notes, or what Charles Darwin might have created if the famous islands teemed with flying-types instead of birds. A key appeal stems from the book's serious treatment, treating Pokémon as worthy of subject for study. Writer Yoshinari Yonehara together with artist Chihiro Kinoshita both hold doctorate degrees in ecology and behavioral science.

What Makes This Special Card Stand Out

It is common for The Pokémon Company to release cards celebrating major tournaments and crossover partnerships. A lot such collector items often feature the iconic electric rodent that acts as the franchise mascot. What distinguishes this new museum card however, is the distinctly bigger dimensions. Although precise specs have not been publicly disclosed, its distribution will certainly be highly restricted, and customers limited to only a single card per purchase.

Curbing Reseller Interest

According to an official statement, a portion of the pop-up items may also be available outside the museum walls. However, broader availability will only be select retailers in the United Kingdom. Critically, collectors will not be able to purchase the card via the online Pokémon Center. Although speculator demand is a given, the setup suggests they're going to have a difficult time stockpiling large numbers this time around. If you're unable to attend, consider the upcoming Pokémon Fossil exhibit coming to Chicago in the coming months.

"Every penny of sales from the museum store and from its web shop, including Pokémon products, go toward the Natural History Museum’s charitable mission. That encompasses the research of hundreds of researchers who are conducting studies to discover solutions to the global ecological crisis," it notes.