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Pokémon creators introduced the world to the card series Diamond & Pearl edition back in 2007, showcasing a Bonsly trading card. On this artwork, the Gen 4 stone creature is shown by artist the talented Harada in an unusual position. Here, the predecessor to Sudowoodo is depicted fallen and weeping. Don't be fooled, however. As its move the move Fake Tears, the little creature aims to manipulate the other player's mood to reducing their offensive power. Iconic piece, isn't it? Musician and harpist Emily Hopkins absolutely agrees. She owns a binder filled with 305 cards of Bonsly as evidence.

Her Complete Set with Key Pieces

That's not the whole collection either. She's got 20 holo reverse editions of this particular card, showing the small Pokémon in reflective foil covering everything except the main image. The crown jewel, though, turns out to be the professionally graded PSA 6 reverse holo of Bonsly. Sure, it isn't a high-grade original Charizard card. But do you have a quirky, close to mint Bonsly card kept in its eternal glory? I thought as much.

The Start of the Obsession

Hopkins has spent most of the current year stockpiling each Bonsly card from 2007 available on the market. She initially learned about the out-of-print card in recent months, while debating the most infamous cards in the compendium with a staff member in a nearby store. Crying Omanyte was considered, along with the lonely Cubone at the theme park. Yet it was The sobbing Bonsly, also known as the seventeenth card, which captured Hopkins's attention.

The Design and Inspiration

Bonsly is obviously influenced from miniature trees, which are often grown in planters with holes at the bottom. These are meant to support healthy development, to the extent that fans encourage each other to drill holes on the bottom if holes are missing. They can also be positioned on low dishes lacking drainage, referred to as suiban, where the water stays could aid caretakers decorate their plants to mimic natural landscapes. Bonsly represents the first type, which explains the hole.

The Infamous Hole Card

Even with this reasonable background, yet, The company appears somewhat a little too concerned with Bonsly's hole. Also, products such as Bonsly plush toys always incorporate a cavity on the underside of the tree-like Pokémon. It makes no difference whether the portrayal of this particular Bonsly appears sad or at ease: It features hole. The opening is a fundamental aspect of Bonsly's design. This specific Bonsly card gained meme status in collector circles thanks to that drainage hole, in addition to its rarity. Up until last year, this Bonsly card was the single type of Bonsly card included in the series where numerous creatures usually appear in dozens of different ways. Over a decade and a half, if you wanted a card of Bonsly, you were stuck for hole Bonsly.

Emily's Dedication

"When I discovered Bonsly in the list of infamous cards, I knew I had found my new favorite," she explains via email, adding that she felt astonished to have missed it until then. She is quick to tell you her love of this particular card is completely useless, but she didn't care. The liking turned into 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 stopping by her local card shop regularly, and became known among the staff as the Bonsly fan. The shop started setting aside any recently acquired Bonsly #71 cards that came in exclusively for Emily. The majority of these go for a few dollars, she mentions, estimating that her total expenditure is about $400 only on the album itself.

Rising Prices

Currently, mint-condition the card may reach prices of around fifteen dollars. While that is a premium price, run-of-the-mill versions are often priced at four dollars or more. That price increase roughly aligns with her starting point her collection in earnest, though there are likely various influences. While it's true that the card is notorious with enthusiasts, Emily's social media updates regarding the card have received countless views. With information about this card keeps growing among more people, it's possible that their market price may continue to shoot up. If nothing else, investors note that card market costs are skyrocketing in 2025 in general.

Her Relentless Pursuit

Nothing can halt her, though.

"What's incredible is that certain fans and viewers of the YouTube channel have mailed their own Bonsly cards to Emily to expand the set, and they will remain them secure indefinitely," she declares. Rather than recoil in horror, the audience are impressed and inspired by her collection.

"I've long desired to try this," an observer mentions. "Acquire all of a common card|every copy of a common card