New Pokémon Collaborations Create Fan Frenzy
Pokémon is taking over the world with new museum merchandise and Lego sets leaving fans frantic to catch ‘em all.
Last year was an exciting one for Pokémon collectors, with six-figure sale results and a record-setting card up for auction. Now, the beloved franchise is expanding its territory by collaborating with groups as varied as the Natural History Museum and the LEGO Group.
While Pokémon might not be exactly an educational toy, players can pick up on some principles of real-world ecology as they learn about the characters’ classifications, behaviors, and environments. The Pokémon Company’s collaboration with the Natural History Museum in London may inspire them to learn even more. On January 7, The Pokémon Company released a new look at the merchandise for their upcoming “Pokécology” pop-up shop at the museum’s Cranbourne Boutique, which will run for an extended period from January 26 to April 19.
Designs for the merchandise are inspired by scientific illustrations in the Museum’s collection and by the Museum's architecture. One item, sure to be highly sought, is an oversized promo card, Pikachu at the Museum, featuring artwork of one of the franchise’s star characters against a background of a Pokémon-themed exhibit hall.
The pop-up celebrates the book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, released in Japan last year, and with an English edition available in April. Authors Yoshinari Yonehara and Chihiro Kinoshita applied their scientific backgrounds in animal behavior and ecology to the world of Pokémon, giving fans a fresh perspective and an in-depth look at the creatures and their environments.
Another new collaboration combines Pokémon with a fellow powerhouse in the world of nostalgic and collectible toys: Lego. The LEGO Group’s licensed sets for famous brands and pop culture franchises have been collector favorites for years, and their first-ever Pokémon collection was unveiled on January 12.
With an age range of 18+ and prices from $59.99 to $649.99, the Lego sets are geared toward adult collectors. The most expensive set is “one of the LEGO Group’s largest ever,” according to a press release, and consists of more than 6,800 pieces to build figures of three fan-favorite Pokémon (flower-backed Venusaur, flying dragon Charizard, and turtle-like Blastoise) and a display base incorporating their respective environments.
The sets will be available in stores starting February 27, the 30th anniversary of the release of the original Pokémon games, but have already sold out through pre-orders. In a move frowned on by many Lego collectors, the sets are already being listed for sale on eBay, some for over twice the original price.
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