🔗 Share this article

To celebrate the arrival of a captivating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, a unique collaboration is underway. The Pokémon Company and London's Natural History Museum are opening a pop-up shop stocked with special merchandise. Enthusiasts will find products like stationery, plushes, and artwork all inspired by the institution's aesthetic. For collectors, however, will be a specially made Pikachu card, offered as a gift with purchase at the pop-up. The store is scheduled from on-site at the museum and its web counterpart between late January and mid-April.

Pokécology Behind the Collaboration

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a highly anticipated tome packed with stunning artwork that show Pokémon in their wild environments. It's essentially is what an in-world scientist might publish after trainers submit their data, or a naturalist's journal could have sketched had the famous islands were populated by Pidgeys instead of finches. A key appeal lies in the book's scholarly approach, treating Pokémon as worthy of subject for inquiry. Author Yoshinari Yonehara and illustrator Chihiro Kinoshita both hold doctorate degrees in animal behavior and ecology.

What Makes This Special Card Different

The company regularly for The Pokémon Company special edition cards for major tournaments or crossover partnerships. A lot of these collector items typically highlight the famous mouse Pokémon that acts as the series face. The factor setting this new museum card is its unusually large size. While exact measurements were not immediately shared, availability will certainly be highly restricted, with fans limited to just one card with each transaction.

Curbing Speculator Activity

According to a company statement, a portion of the pop-up items may also be available outside the museum walls. But, a wider release is slated for specific stores in the United Kingdom. Critically, fans cannot acquire this promo through the official web shop. While reseller interest is a given, it appears they will have trouble hoarding mass quantities on this occasion. For those unable to attend, consider the upcoming Pokémon Fossil exhibit coming to the Windy City in the coming months.

"All profits of sales from the Museum shop and its online store, including Pokémon products, support the Natural History Museum’s non-profit work. This includes the efforts of 400 scientists dedicated to conducting studies and finding solutions to the planetary emergency," the statement notes.