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The Pokémon Company released the world to the card series DP set back in 2007, including a Bonsly trading card. Within this depiction, the Gen 4 Rock Pokémon appears by designer Midori Harada in an unusual situation. On the card, Bonsly, which evolves into Sudowoodo appears toppled and weeping. However, don't mistake this, however. Similar to its attack the move Fake Tears, Bonsly aims to sway the other player's mood in the hopes of reducing their attack. Memorable card, no? Electroacoustic harpist Hopkins is a firm believer. She possesses an album containing over 300 Bonsly illustrations as evidence.

Her Complete Set with Key Pieces

But that isn't everything she has also. She obtained 20 holo reverse copies featuring Bonsly, showing the little guy in reflective foil everywhere but the central artwork. The prized possession, however, proves to be the professionally graded PSA 6 reverse holographic Bonsly card. Sure, it's far from a top-graded original Charizard card. But do you have a goofy, close to mint Bonsly card preserved in all its splendor? I thought as much.

Origins of the Collection

Emily dedicated much of 2025 stockpiling all available Bonsly cards from that year that she could locate. She discovered about the out-of-print card at the start of the year, while debating the most infamous cards among collectors with an employee at her favorite card shop. The weeping Omanyte was a contender, along with the forever alone Cubone in an amusement park. Yet it was Bonsly crying, or Bonsly #17, which captured Hopkins's attention.

The Design and Inspiration

Bonsly draws clear inspiration by bonsai plants, which are often grown in planters featuring holes for drainage. These holes are intended to aid growth, so much so that fans encourage each other to drill holes into their pots if holes are missing. Bonsai can also be placed in shallow containers lacking drainage, referred to as suiban, and the collected moisture may assist enthusiasts decorate their plants to mimic natural landscapes. Bonsly is the former, hence the hole.

Why Bonsly Stands Out

Even with this reasonable background, though, The Pokémon Company looks a bit a little too concerned with Bonsly's hole. Also, products such as Bonsly plush toys make sure to include an empty space below of this plant Pokémon. It makes no difference if the illustration of Bonsly in question appears sad or calm: It features the hole. The hole is a fundamental aspect of Bonsly's design. Bonsly #71 turned into an internet joke within the community both due to the famous hole, as well as its status. Up until last year, this Bonsly card was the only version of Bonsly card included in the series where numerous creatures usually appear in dozens of different ways. For sixteen years, should you desire a card of Bonsly, you had to settle with the hole version.

A Growing Obsession

"Upon noticing Bonsly among the selections of oddball cards, I felt I discovered my favorite one," Emily states over email, mentioning how she was surprised to have never seen it before. She is quick to inform you her fondness for the Bonsly card serves no practical purpose, but it didn't matter. The liking became an all-consuming hobby, with Emily purchasing every Bonsly #71 card that she could get her hands on. She quickly got into a routine of going to the nearby card store regularly, and became known among the staff as the Bonsly collector. The shop started setting aside any recently acquired this specific card they obtained exclusively for Emily. The majority of these are priced at one to three dollars, she notes, estimating that she has invested approximately four hundred dollars only on the album itself.

The Financial Side

Nowadays, excellent this Bonsly card might be valued at around fifteen dollars. While that's on the higher end, standard copies are often priced at $4 and above. The upward trend roughly aligns with her starting point collecting seriously, but it's possible that various influences. While it's true that the card is notorious in the community, Emily's social media updates on it have received millions of views. As news of its existence keeps growing among more people, it's possible that their market price may continue to shoot up. Regardless, collectors mention how trading card game values are skyrocketing in 2025 across the board.

Her Relentless Pursuit

Hopkins cannot be stopped, though.

"The wonderful part remains that some supporters and enthusiasts from her channel have sent copies of Bonsly her way for her album, and she is preserving these Bonsly safe forever," she declares. Far from being alarmed, viewers feel admiration and motivation by her Bonsly binder.

"I've actually always wanted to attempt something similar," one commenter says. "Buy up all of a common card|every copy of a common card