Shogakukan, a renowned Japanese publisher, has officially confirmed the release of the Pokemon Ecology Encyclopedia on June 18. While Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have previously released various books about Pokemon, many were outsourced to third-party publishers and often provided only basic information with standard illustrations. This new hardcover edition, however, promises to be a groundbreaking project, delving deeper into the world of Pokemon than ever before.

Pokemon continues to dominate as one of the most profitable franchises in entertainment, spanning video games, TV shows, movies, and merchandise. Now, the IP's owners—Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak—are exploring new avenues to engage fans, with this encyclopedia being a prime example.

According to Famitsu, the Pokemon Ecology Encyclopedia is an academic-style index that examines over 1,000 creatures from the Pokemon universe. Slated for release on June 18 in Japan, the book is already available for pre-order under the title Pokecology at major retailers like Amazon Japan. Leading the research is Yoshinari Yonehara, a professional ecologist, who has meticulously studied the behavior and interactions of wild Pokemon. The book aims to uncover social dynamics, behavioral patterns, and ecological relationships among Pokemon, offering fans a fresh perspective on their favorite creatures. The encyclopedia spans 192 pages and is priced at ¥1,430 (approximately $10 USD).

Despite not yet being released, Pokecology has already secured the second spot on Amazon Japan's bestseller list, a testament to the franchise's enduring popularity in its home country. Unfortunately, there's no official word yet on a global release or an English translation. However, given the overwhelming demand, it's highly likely that Shogakukan will consider expanding its availability in the future. For now, only Japanese fans will have the opportunity to explore this unique take on the Pokemon world.

The book's stunning artwork is the work of Chihiro Kinoshita, an illustrator renowned for her contributions to ecology-themed publications. The illustrations will be fully colored and intricately detailed, emphasizing the biological and ecological aspects of Pokemon life. Both Yonehara and Kinoshita are graduates of the University of Tokyo's Agriculture and Life Sciences program, bringing a scientifically grounded approach to the project. As a result, the Pokemon Ecology Encyclopedia is expected to reveal never-before-seen insights into the franchise's beloved creatures. While details remain scarce, fans eagerly await the book's launch to discover its full contents.