She Has Amassed Countless of Pokemon Cards with Holes, and Nothing Can Halt Her.
The Pokémon Company released collectors to the card series DP set in the year 2007, featuring a Bonsly trading card. Within this depiction, the fourth generation rock-type is shown by illustrator the talented Harada in an unusual pose. In the image, Bonsly, which evolves into Sudowoodo is depicted knocked over and crying. However, don't mistake this, yet. Like its ability the move Fake Tears, this Pokémon is trying to sway the other player's mood in the hopes of lowering their attack. Iconic piece, isn't it? Harp player Hopkins is a firm believer. And she's got a collection book with 305 Bonsly illustrations to prove it.
The Full Collection and Its Highlights
However, that's not everything she has either. She's got twenty reverse holographic copies of the Bonsly card, showing the small Pokémon in reflective foil all over except the primary illustration. The most valuable item, however, is the PSA 6-rated holo reverse Bonsly edition. Certainly, it's not a mint-condition Charizard from the base set. However, can you claim a quirky, close to mint Bonsly illustration kept in its eternal glory? Probably not.
How It All Began
She invested most of the current year accumulating every 2007 Bonsly card she can possibly find. She first heard of this rare card earlier this year, while debating the notoriously odd cards in the compendium with a staff member in a nearby store. Omanyte in tears was considered, just like the forever alone Cubone on a park ride. Yet it was The sobbing Bonsly, or card number 17, which captured Hopkins's attention.
Behind Bonsly's Look
Bonsly draws clear inspiration by bonsai plants, which are typically planted in pots with holes at the bottom. These are meant to aid growth, so much so that growers encourage each other to drill holes on the bottom when none are present. Bonsai can also be placed on shallow pots without holes, known as suiban, and the retained water can help enthusiasts arrange their bonsai to resemble nature vistas. Bonsly fits the initial category, thus the hole exists.
Why Bonsly Stands Out
Although this makes sense, yet, Pokémon's creators appears somewhat overly focused regarding the hole in Bonsly. Also, products like Bonsly plushes ensure they feature a hollow cavern at the bottom of this plant Pokémon. Regardless whether the portrayal of the Pokémon appears sad or calm: It's going to show hole. The hole is an intrinsic part of Bonsly's design. This specific Bonsly card gained meme status in collector circles both due to that drainage hole, and also because of its rarity. For years before, the card was the single type of Bonsly card printed in a game in which most Pokémon usually appear in various forms. Over a decade and a half, if you wanted a Bonsly card, you were stuck with the hole version.
Emily's Dedication
"When I discovered Bonsly among the selections of oddball cards, I realized I had found my favorite one," Hopkins shares over email, noting that it was unexpected to have never seen it before. She is quick to tell you her passion for the Bonsly card is completely useless, but it didn't matter. The liking became an all-consuming hobby, as she acquired each available Bonsly card that she could get her hands on. She adopted a practice of going to her favorite shop every week, and was dubbed among the staff as the Bonsly fan. The store began setting aside any recently acquired copies of Bonsly #71 they obtained exclusively for Emily. The majority of these are priced at one to three dollars, she says, estimating that she's spent about $400 for the collection book.
Rising Prices
Currently, excellent the card can cost up to $14.99. Although that is expensive, ordinary versions are often priced at four dollars or more. That price increase roughly aligns with her starting point her collection in earnest, but it's possible that various influences. Although the card is notorious in the community, her online content about it have received a huge audience. With information of its existence keeps growing to new fans, there's a chance the value of these cards could keep rising. Regardless, enthusiasts mention how TCG prices are skyrocketing in 2025 overall.
No Signs of Stopping
Hopkins cannot be stopped, however.
"What's incredible is some supporters and fans of the YouTube channel have shipped copies of Bonsly to Emily to expand the set, and she is preserving them secure indefinitely," she declares. Far from being alarmed, fans are impressed and inspired by this project.
"I've long desired to attempt something similar," a viewer notes. "Purchase all of a common card|every copy of a common card
