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The makers of Pokémon unveiled the world to the Pokémon TCG Diamond and Pearl edition back in 2007, including the Bonsly card. On this artwork, Gen IV stone creature is shown by designer Midori Harada in a somewhat awkward pose. On the card, the predecessor to Sudowoodo is depicted knocked over and shedding tears. However, don't mistake this, yet. As its move Fake Tears suggests, Bonsly attempts to sway the foe's feelings with the goal of reducing their damage output. Iconic piece, no? Electroacoustic harpist Emily absolutely agrees. She owns a binder with 305 Bonsly illustrations as evidence.

The Entire Assortment Including Rare Finds

However, that's not the full extent either. She's got twenty reverse holographic versions featuring Bonsly, showing the little guy with metallic accents all over except the central artwork. The most valuable item, though, turns out to be the PSA 6-graded reverse holo Bonsly edition. Admittedly, it's not a mint-condition Charizard illustration. But do you have an amusing, nearly pristine Bonsly card preserved in all its splendor? I didn't think so.

The Start of the Obsession

Emily dedicated much of 2025 gathering each Bonsly card from 2007 she can possibly find. She first heard about the out-of-print card in recent months, while talking about the most cursed cards among collectors with a staff member in a nearby store. Omanyte in tears was a contender, as was Cubone by itself on a park ride. Yet it was The sobbing Bonsly, also known as card number 17, which captured Emily's focus.

Behind Bonsly's Look

The design of Bonsly is based from miniature trees, which are typically planted in planters that have drainage holes. These are meant to aid growth, in fact enthusiasts suggest to peers to add holes in their containers if they don't already have one. Bonsai can also be placed in shallow containers without holes, called suiban, and the collected moisture can help enthusiasts arrange their bonsai to mimic natural landscapes. Bonsly fits the initial category, which explains the hole.

Why Bonsly Stands Out

Although this makes sense, however, Pokémon's creators appears somewhat overly focused about the drainage feature. Also, products like Bonsly plushes make sure to include a cavity at the bottom of the tree-like Pokémon. It makes no difference whether the portrayal of Bonsly in question is crying or content: It's going to show the hole. The hole is a key element of how Bonsly looks. This specific Bonsly card became a meme in collector circles both due to its distinctive hole, and also because of its rarity. Until recently, Bonsly #71 remained the sole iteration featuring Bonsly included in the series where numerous creatures are commonly shown in dozens of different ways. For sixteen years, were you seeking this Pokémon card, you had to settle for hole Bonsly.

The Collector's Passion

"Upon noticing this card on the list of infamous cards, I knew I discovered my favorite one," she explains over email, mentioning how she was surprised to have missed it until then. She'll be the first to state her passion for Bonsly #71 has no real value, but she didn't care. The initial interest evolved into an all-consuming hobby, with Emily purchasing each available Bonsly card available to her. She soon developed a practice of going to her local card shop on a weekly basis, and was dubbed among the staff as "Bonsly Girl". The shop started setting aside any recently acquired Bonsly #71 cards it received only for her. The majority of these cost between $1 and $3, she mentions, estimating that she has invested about $400 only on the album itself.

Market Trends and Value

Currently, mint-condition Bonsly #71 cards might be valued at around fifteen dollars. While that's on the higher end, ordinary copies usually go for four dollars or more. That price increase roughly aligns with her starting point collecting seriously, although there are probably several factors at play. Although the card is notorious in the community, Hopkins's posts regarding the card have received millions of views. As awareness regarding Bonsly #71 continues to spread to new fans, it is likely that their market price might increase even more. At the very least, collectors note that trading card game values are soaring this year overall.

Unstoppable Determination

Hopkins cannot be stopped, yet.

"The amazing thing is that a few followers and enthusiasts on social media have shipped their own Bonsly cards to me for her album, and they will remain these cards protected always," Hopkins says. Far from being alarmed, fans are amazed and encouraged by her collection.

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