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Pokémon creators unveiled the world to the card series Diamond and Pearl expansion during 2007, showcasing the Bonsly card. On this artwork, the Gen 4 Rock Pokémon is shown by artist Harada-san in a, shall we say, compromising pose. In the image, this pre-evolution is depicted fallen and weeping. Don't be fooled, yet. As its move Fake Tears suggests, the little creature aims to manipulate their opponent's emotions to lowering their offensive power. Memorable card, isn't it? Musician and harpist Emily Hopkins is a firm believer. She owns a binder filled with 305 cards of Bonsly as evidence.

The Entire Assortment Including Rare Finds

That's not everything she has as well. She obtained a score of holo reverse copies featuring Bonsly, which depicts the small Pokémon in reflective foil covering everything except the main image. The most valuable item, yet, proves to be the professionally graded PSA 6 reverse holo Bonsly edition. Sure, it's far from a mint-condition original Charizard card. But do you have a goofy, almost perfect Bonsly illustration maintained in all its splendor? I didn't think so.

How It All Began

She invested much of 2025 gathering all available Bonsly cards from that year that she could locate. She initially learned of this rare card in recent months, while debating the most infamous cards among collectors with an employee in a nearby store. Crying Omanyte was considered, along with the lonely Cubone at the theme park. But it was Crying Bonsly, or Bonsly #17, that caught Emily's focus.

Behind Bonsly's Look

Bonsly draws clear inspiration on bonsai trees, that are commonly placed in pots 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 when none are present. They can also be positioned on shallow pots without holes, known as suiban, and the collected moisture could aid caretakers decorate their plants to mimic outdoor scenes. Bonsly represents the first type, thus the hole exists.

The Infamous Hole Card

Despite this logical explanation, yet, Pokémon's creators seems almost excessively attentive regarding the hole in Bonsly. Even merch like Bonsly plushes ensure they feature a hollow cavern on the underside of this plant Pokémon. Regardless whether the portrayal of the Pokémon is crying or calm: It's going to show a hole. The hole is a fundamental aspect of how Bonsly looks. Bonsly #71 gained meme status among fans both due to its distinctive hole, in addition to its unique position. Up until last year, this Bonsly card was the single type featuring Bonsly released in the TCG where many of its monsters usually appear in multiple editions. Over a decade and a half, were you seeking a Bonsly card, you needed to accept with this specific design.

Emily's Dedication

"When I discovered this card on the list of oddball cards, I knew I discovered my new favorite," Hopkins shares in a message, adding that she was surprised to have never seen it before. She admits freely to inform you her love of this particular card serves no practical purpose, yet that didn't stop her. The liking evolved into an all-consuming hobby, as Hopkins bought every Bonsly #71 card that she could get her hands on. She quickly got into a practice of going to her local card shop every week, and earned the nickname to the employees as the Bonsly fan. They started setting aside any recently acquired Bonsly #71 cards that came in only for her. Typically, these cards go for a few dollars, she mentions, approximating her total expenditure is about $400 just on the binder alone.

Rising Prices

Currently, mint-condition this Bonsly card can cost up to nearly $15. While that's on the higher end, standard copies tend to cost four dollars or more. This rise in cost more or less coincides with her starting point collecting seriously, though there are likely several factors at play. While it's true that the card is notorious with enthusiasts, her online content about it have received millions of views. With information about this card keeps growing among more people, there's a chance their market price may continue to shoot up. Regardless, investors mention how trading card game values are soaring this year in general.

Unstoppable Determination

Hopkins cannot be stopped, though.

"What's incredible remains that certain fans and fans from her channel have mailed their Bonsly cards to Emily to add to my collection, and I am keeping these Bonsly safe forever," she declares. Far from being alarmed, fans are amazed and encouraged by her collection.

"For years, I wished to try this," an observer mentions. "Acquire all of a common card|every copy of a common card