She Has Amassed Numerous of Pokemon Hole Cards, and You Can't Stop Her.

The makers of Pokémon released fans to the trading card game DP expansion back in 2007, featuring a Bonsly trading card. Within this depiction, Gen IV stone creature is portrayed by illustrator Harada-san in an unusual situation. In the image, Bonsly, which evolves into Sudowoodo can be seen knocked over and weeping. But don't misunderstand, however. As its move Fake Tears suggests, the little creature aims to manipulate the other player's mood to decreasing their damage output. Iconic piece, right? Musician and harpist Emily Hopkins is a firm believer. She owns a binder containing over 300 Bonsly cards to show for it.

Her Complete Set with Key Pieces

However, that's not the full extent also. She obtained 20 reverse holographic copies of this particular card, showing the small Pokémon in reflective foil covering everything except the main image. The prized possession, though, is the professionally graded PSA 6 reverse holo Bonsly card. Admittedly, it isn't a top-graded Charizard illustration. But do you have a quirky, nearly pristine Bonsly card preserved in all its splendor? I thought as much.

How It All Began

Hopkins has spent most of the current year gathering every 2007 Bonsly card she can possibly find. She discovered regarding this discontinued card in recent months, during a discussion the notoriously odd cards in the Pokémon TCG with a staff member in a nearby store. The weeping Omanyte was a contender, just like the forever alone Cubone on a park ride. But it was Bonsly crying, also known as Bonsly #17, that grabbed her interest.

The Design and Inspiration

Bonsly draws clear inspiration on bonsai trees, which are often grown in pots with holes at the bottom. These are meant to help the plant grow, in fact growers suggest to peers to drill holes into their pots if holes are missing. Additionally, bonsai may sit on low dishes hole-free, referred to as suiban, where the water stays can help growers style their trees to resemble nature vistas. Bonsly represents the first type, thus the hole exists.

Why Bonsly Stands Out

Despite this logical explanation, yet, The Pokémon Company looks a bit a little too concerned with Bonsly's hole. Even merch like Bonsly plushes always incorporate an empty space below of the tree-like Pokémon. It makes no difference if the depiction of this particular Bonsly is weeping or at ease: It's going to show hole. The hole is an intrinsic part of Bonsly's design. Bonsly #71 became a meme among fans thanks to that drainage hole, as well as its rarity. For years before, the card remained the sole iteration featuring Bonsly released in the TCG where many of its monsters usually appear in multiple editions. For 16 years, if you wanted a Bonsly card, you were stuck for hole Bonsly.

Emily's Dedication

"Upon noticing this card on the list of these cursed cards, I realized I located my new favorite," she explains over email, adding that she was surprised that she hadn't encountered it earlier. She admits freely to state her passion for the Bonsly card serves no practical purpose, but it didn't matter. The liking evolved into an all-consuming hobby, with Emily purchasing all copies of this card available to her. She adopted a habit of stopping by her local card shop every week, and became known by workers as "Bonsly Girl". The store began setting aside any recently acquired copies of Bonsly #71 it received aside just for Hopkins. Most of these cards are priced at one to three dollars, she says, approximating she has invested somewhere around $400 for the collection book.

Market Trends and Value

These days, mint-condition the card might be valued at $14.99. While that's on the higher end, run-of-the-mill copies are often priced at $4 and above. That price increase corresponds to the time Emily began her collection in earnest, though there are likely various influences. Although this card is famous in the community, Emily's social media updates on it have also garnered millions of views. As awareness regarding Bonsly #71 continues to spread to new fans, it is likely that the value of these cards may continue to shoot up. Regardless, investors note that TCG prices are soaring in 2025 overall.

Her Relentless Pursuit

Emily remains undeterred, though.

"The amazing thing remains that some supporters and enthusiasts of the YouTube channel have shipped their own Bonsly cards her way for her album, and they will remain these cards protected always," she declares. Rather than recoil in horror, viewers are amazed and encouraged by this project.

"I've long desired to do this," a viewer notes. "Purchase all of a common card|every copy of a common card