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The makers of Pokémon unveiled the world to the Pokémon TCG Diamond & Pearl expansion during 2007, featuring a Bonsly trading card. Within this depiction, the fourth generation stone creature is portrayed by illustrator Midori Harada in a somewhat awkward pose. In the image, this pre-evolution is depicted toppled and weeping. Don't be fooled, yet. As its move Fake Tears, Bonsly is trying to manipulate the other player's mood in the hopes of lowering their damage output. Iconic piece, right? Musician and harpist Emily absolutely agrees. She possesses a binder with 305 Bonsly illustrations to show for it.

The Full Collection with Key Pieces

That's not the whole collection also. She has acquired a score of reverse holographic editions of the Bonsly card, portraying the little guy in reflective foil all over except the central artwork. The crown jewel, yet, turns out to be the PSA 6-rated reverse holographic Bonsly card. Sure, it isn't a top-graded original Charizard card. Yet, do you possess a quirky, close to mint Bonsly card kept in all its splendor? I thought as much.

How It All Began

She invested much of 2025 accumulating each Bonsly card from 2007 that she could locate. She first heard about the out-of-print card in recent months, while talking about the most cursed cards in the compendium with an employee in a nearby store. Omanyte in tears was considered, just like Cubone by itself on a park ride. However, the one that Crying Bonsly, also known as card number 17, that grabbed Hopkins's attention.

Behind Bonsly's Look

Bonsly is obviously influenced by bonsai plants, that are commonly placed in containers featuring holes for drainage. These holes are intended to help the plant grow, so much so that fans advise one another to drill holes on the bottom if holes are missing. They can also be positioned in shallow containers lacking drainage, referred to as suiban, and the collected moisture may assist enthusiasts decorate their plants to mimic nature vistas. Bonsly is the former, hence the hole.

The Infamous Hole Card

Although this makes sense, yet, The Pokémon Company appears somewhat excessively attentive regarding the hole in Bonsly. Even merch including stuffed Bonsly make sure to include a hollow cavern at the bottom of this plant Pokémon. It doesn't matter if the depiction of the Pokémon appears sad or content: It features a hole. The opening is an intrinsic part of how Bonsly looks. This specific Bonsly card became a meme in collector circles both due to its distinctive hole, as well as its unique position. For years before, Bonsly #71 was the single type featuring Bonsly printed in a game where many of its monsters are typically depicted in various forms. For sixteen years, if you wanted a Bonsly card, you had to settle for hole Bonsly.

A Growing Obsession

"When I discovered Bonsly among the selections of these cursed cards, I realized I located the one for me," Emily states in a message, mentioning how it was unexpected to have missed it until then. She admits freely to state her love of Bonsly #71 serves no practical purpose, but she didn't care. The initial interest evolved into a full-blown obsession, as Hopkins bought every Bonsly #71 card available to her. She quickly got into a routine of stopping by her local card shop regularly, and earned the nickname by workers as the Bonsly fan. They started reserving all incoming this specific card they obtained exclusively for Emily. The majority of these cost between $1 and $3, she mentions, calculating that she has invested about $400 for the collection book.

The Financial Side

Currently, mint-condition the card can cost up to nearly $15. While that's on the higher end, ordinary versions usually go for four dollars or more. This rise in cost corresponds to when Hopkins started her collection in earnest, but it's possible that various influences. Even though Bonsly #71 is well-known in the community, her online content regarding the card have received millions of views. As awareness regarding Bonsly #71 continues to spread to a wider audience, it's possible that the price of Bonsly #71 cards could keep rising. At the very least, enthusiasts mention how trading card game values are soaring currently overall.

Her Relentless Pursuit

Nothing can halt her, yet.

"The wonderful part remains that some supporters and enthusiasts from her channel have mailed their Bonsly cards to me to expand the set, and they will remain these Bonsly safe forever," Emily states. Far from being alarmed, the audience feel admiration and motivation by her collection.

"I've long desired to attempt something similar," a viewer notes. "Acquire all of a common card|every copy of a common card