🔗 Share this article A Special Release Pokémon Card Seeks to Be Super Effective Against Speculators To celebrate the arrival of the fascinating new book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, an exciting partnership is underway. Pokémon's creators and London's Natural History Museum will launch a temporary store stocked with special merchandise. Enthusiasts can look forward to products like plush toys, art prints, and writing supplies all inspired by the museum's aesthetic. The big draw, however, will be a specially made Pikachu card, offered as a free bonus at the pop-up. The store will operate from on-site at the museum and 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 filled with stunning artwork depicting Pokémon in their wild environments. It's essentially like the kind of research an in-world scientist could produce once adventurers submit their data, alternatively a naturalist's journal could have sketched if the famous islands were populated by Pidgeys rather than birds. Part of the charm lies in the book's scholarly treatment, presenting Pokémon as a legitimate subject for inquiry. Author Yoshinari Yonehara together with illustrator Chihiro Kinoshita each possess PhDs in ecology and behavioral science. What Makes This Promo Card Different The company regularly for The Pokémon Company to release promos celebrating big events and brand collaborations. A lot of these promotional cards typically highlight the famous electric rodent who serves as the franchise mascot. What distinguishes this latest promotion apart is its unusually large dimensions. While exact measurements were not publicly disclosed, its distribution is guaranteed to be highly restricted, with customers limited to just one card with each transaction. Curbing Speculator Activity According to a company announcement, some of the merchandise may also be available beyond the museum walls. But, broader availability is slated for select retailers within the United Kingdom. Importantly, fans will not be able to acquire the card via the official web shop. While speculator demand is a given, the setup suggests they will have trouble hoarding mass quantities on this occasion. If you're feeling left out, consider an alternative like fossil-themed display headed to Chicago later this year. "All profits from purchases made in the museum store and its online store, which covers Pokémon products, support the Natural History Museum’s non-profit work. This includes the efforts of 400 scientists who are scientific inquiry and finding answers to the global ecological crisis," it says.