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The Pokémon Company unveiled the world to the trading card game Diamond and Pearl set back in 2007, showcasing the Bonsly illustration. Within this depiction, the Gen 4 stone creature is shown by artist Harada-san in a somewhat awkward pose. On the card, Bonsly, which evolves into Sudowoodo is depicted knocked over and shedding tears. But don't misunderstand, though. Like its ability Fake Tears suggests, this Pokémon is trying to influence their opponent's emotions to reducing their attack. Iconic piece, right? Electroacoustic harpist Hopkins absolutely agrees. And she's got a collection book containing over 300 cards of Bonsly to show for it.

Her Complete Set with Key Pieces

That's not the full extent as well. She has acquired a score of reverse holographic copies featuring Bonsly, which depicts the little guy with shiny foil all over except the central artwork. The crown jewel, yet, is the PSA 6-graded reverse holographic Bonsly card. Sure, it's not a high-grade Charizard illustration. However, can you claim a goofy, almost perfect Bonsly illustration maintained forever immortalized? I didn't think so.

How It All Began

Hopkins has spent a large part of this year stockpiling all available Bonsly cards from that year available on the market. She first heard about the out-of-print card earlier this year, while talking about the most infamous cards in the compendium with a staff member at her favorite card shop. The weeping Omanyte was in the running, just like the forever alone Cubone on a park ride. However, the one that Crying Bonsly, aka card number 17, which captured Hopkins's attention.

The Concept of Bonsly

The design of Bonsly is based on bonsai trees, that are commonly placed in planters with holes at the bottom. They are designed to help the plant grow, to the extent that enthusiasts advise one another to create openings into their pots if holes are missing. Additionally, bonsai may sit on low dishes hole-free, known as suiban, where the water stays can help caretakers style their trees to resemble nature vistas. Bonsly fits the initial category, which explains the hole.

A Memorable and Notorious Card

Although this makes sense, though, The company appears somewhat excessively attentive about the drainage feature. Also, products including stuffed Bonsly always incorporate a cavity on the underside of the tree-like Pokémon. It makes no difference if the depiction of this particular Bonsly is weeping or content: It will display the hole. The hole is an intrinsic part of Bonsly's design. Bonsly #71 turned into an internet joke within the community thanks to that drainage hole, in addition to its unique position. For years before, this Bonsly card remained the sole iteration of Bonsly available included in the series where many of its monsters usually appear in dozens of different ways. For 16 years, should you desire a card of Bonsly, you had to settle for hole Bonsly.

The Collector's Passion

"When I discovered Bonsly in the list of oddball cards, I realized I discovered the one for me," Emily states over email, adding that she was surprised to have never seen it before. She admits freely to tell you her fondness for the Bonsly card serves no practical purpose, but she didn't care. The liking became an all-consuming hobby, as Hopkins bought each available Bonsly card she could possibly find. She soon developed a habit of stopping by her local card shop on a weekly basis, and earned the nickname by workers as "Bonsly Girl". They started putting any new copies of Bonsly #71 it received aside just for Hopkins. Typically, these cards cost between $1 and $3, she notes, calculating that she's spent somewhere around $400 for the collection book.

Market Trends and Value

Nowadays, pristine the card may reach prices of around fifteen dollars. Although that is expensive, ordinary Bonsly #71 cards are often priced at four dollars or more. The upward trend roughly aligns with when Hopkins started collecting seriously, but it's possible that several factors at play. While it's true that Bonsly #71 is well-known with enthusiasts, Hopkins's posts regarding the card have also garnered millions of views. As news about this card continues to spread among more people, it's possible that the value of these cards might increase even more. At the very least, investors say that card market costs are soaring currently overall.

Unstoppable Determination

Hopkins cannot be stopped, however.

"What's incredible is that a few followers and enthusiasts from her channel have mailed their own Bonsly cards to Emily to expand the set, and I am keeping them secure indefinitely," she declares. Rather than recoil in horror, fans are impressed and inspired by her collection.

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