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The Pokémon Company introduced collectors to the card series Diamond & Pearl edition in the year 2007, including the Bonsly card. Within this depiction, the fourth generation rock-type is shown by artist the talented Harada in an unusual situation. In the image, Bonsly, which evolves into Sudowoodo is depicted fallen and shedding tears. But don't misunderstand, yet. Similar to its attack Fake Tears suggests, this Pokémon aims to influence their opponent's emotions to reducing their damage output. Iconic piece, isn't it? Musician and harpist Emily Hopkins is a firm believer. She possesses a collection book filled with 305 cards of Bonsly as evidence.

The Full Collection Including Rare Finds

However, that's not the whole collection also. She has acquired a score of reverse holographic copies of this particular card, showing the little guy in reflective foil everywhere but the main image. The prized possession, yet, is the PSA 6-graded reverse holographic Bonsly edition. Certainly, it's far from a high-grade Charizard illustration. But do you have a goofy, nearly pristine Bonsly illustration maintained in all its splendor? Probably not.

Origins of the Collection

Hopkins has spent much of 2025 stockpiling every 2007 Bonsly card she can possibly find. She first heard of this rare card at the start of the year, while talking about the most cursed cards in the Pokémon TCG with an employee at her favorite card shop. Omanyte in tears was considered, along with the forever alone Cubone on a park ride. But it was Bonsly crying, also known as the seventeenth card, that grabbed Hopkins's attention.

The Design and Inspiration

Bonsly is obviously influenced by bonsai plants, that are commonly placed in planters that have drainage holes. These are meant to support healthy development, to the extent that fans advise one another to create openings in their containers when none are present. Additionally, bonsai may sit in shallow containers lacking drainage, known as suiban, and the retained water could aid caretakers style their trees to look like nature vistas. Bonsly is the former, thus the hole exists.

A Memorable and Notorious Card

Even with this reasonable background, though, Pokémon's creators looks a bit a little too concerned with Bonsly's hole. Even merchandise like Bonsly plushes make sure to include an empty space below of the tree-like Pokémon. It doesn't matter if the depiction of this particular Bonsly is weeping or content: It features a hole. The opening is a key element in Bonsly's appearance. Card number 71 gained meme status among fans both due to that drainage hole, in addition to its rarity. Until recently, Bonsly #71 was the single type of Bonsly card printed in a game where many of its monsters usually appear in various forms. For sixteen years, should you desire a card of Bonsly, you needed to accept with the hole version.

The Collector's Passion

"When I discovered Bonsly among the selections of oddball cards, I knew I located my favorite one," she explains over email, adding that it was unexpected that she hadn't encountered it earlier. She is quick to inform you her love of this particular card has no real value, but it didn't matter. The initial interest became an all-consuming hobby, with Emily purchasing each available Bonsly card that she could get her hands on. She soon developed a routine of going to her local card shop regularly, and was dubbed among the staff as "Bonsly Girl". The store began putting any new this specific card they obtained only for her. The majority of these are priced at one to three dollars, she notes, estimating that she's spent approximately four hundred dollars for the collection book.

The Financial Side

Currently, pristine Bonsly #71 cards might be valued at nearly $15. While that is a premium price, ordinary copies usually go for $4 and above. The upward trend corresponds to when Hopkins started her collection in earnest, although there are probably several factors at play. Although this card is famous among collectors, Hopkins's posts regarding the card have received a huge audience. As awareness about this card expands further to a wider audience, it's possible that the price of Bonsly #71 cards might increase even more. Regardless, investors mention how card market costs are soaring this year across the board.

Unstoppable Determination

Emily remains undeterred, though.

"What's incredible is that a few followers and fans on social media have mailed copies of Bonsly her way for her album, and they will remain them secure indefinitely," she declares. Far from being alarmed, the audience are amazed and encouraged by her collection.

"I've actually always wanted to do this," an observer mentions. "Purchase all of a common card|every copy of a common card