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Marking the arrival of a captivating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, an exciting partnership has been formed. Pokémon's creators and the Natural History Museum will launch a temporary store stocked with special merchandise. Enthusiasts will find products like stationery, plushes, and artwork all drawing from the institution's theme. The big draw, though, will be a limited-edition Pikachu card, offered as a free bonus for the pop-up. This shop is scheduled both on-site at the museum to its web counterpart between late January and mid-April.

Pokécology Behind the Partnership

Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology represents a much-awaited tome packed with beautiful artwork that show creatures in their natural habitats. It's essentially is the kind of research an in-world scientist might publish once trainers provide field notes, alternatively what Charles Darwin could have sketched if the Galapagos teemed with Pidgeys instead of birds. A key appeal stems from the book's serious treatment, treating Pokémon as a legitimate scientific study. Author Yoshinari Yonehara and illustrator 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 promos for major tournaments or crossover partnerships. Many of these promotional cards typically highlight the iconic electric rodent who serves as the series face. The factor setting this latest museum card is its distinctly bigger size. Although precise specs were not immediately shared, availability is guaranteed to be highly restricted, with customers limited to just one card per purchase.

Curbing Reseller Activity

Per an official statement, a portion of the merchandise will also be sold beyond the institution itself. However, a wider release is slated for specific stores in the United Kingdom. Importantly, collectors will not be able to purchase the card via the official web shop. While reseller interest is a given, it appears they will have a difficult time stockpiling large numbers on this occasion. If you're feeling left out, consider an alternative like Pokémon Fossil exhibit headed to the Windy City later this year.

"All profits from purchases made in the Museum shop and from its online store, which covers these items, go toward the Natural History Museum’s charitable mission. That encompasses the efforts of hundreds of researchers dedicated to scientific inquiry to discover answers to the global ecological crisis," the statement says.