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The Pokémon Company introduced the world to the card series Diamond and Pearl edition back in 2007, featuring a Bonsly trading card. Within this depiction, the fourth generation stone creature appears by artist the talented Harada in a somewhat awkward position. In the image, this pre-evolution can be seen toppled and crying. Don't be fooled, though. Similar to its attack the move Fake Tears, Bonsly attempts to sway the other player's mood with the goal of reducing their damage output. Memorable card, no? Electroacoustic harpist Hopkins is a firm believer. She possesses a collection book containing over 300 Bonsly illustrations to show for it.

The Entire Assortment and Its Highlights

That's not the whole collection either. She obtained twenty holo reverse editions featuring Bonsly, showing the little guy in reflective foil covering everything except the main image. The prized possession, though, proves to be the professionally graded PSA 6 reverse holographic of Bonsly. Certainly, it's far from a high-grade original Charizard card. But do you have an amusing, close to mint Bonsly card maintained in all its splendor? I didn't think so.

How It All Began

She invested much of 2025 accumulating all available Bonsly cards from that year she can possibly find. She initially learned of this rare card at the start of the year, while debating the notoriously odd 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 in an amusement park. However, the one that Crying Bonsly, also known as card number 17, that caught Hopkins's attention.

The Concept of Bonsly

Bonsly is obviously influenced from miniature trees, that are commonly placed in planters featuring holes for drainage. They are designed to help the plant grow, in fact fans advise one another to drill holes into their pots if holes are missing. Additionally, bonsai may sit on shallow pots without holes, known as suiban, and the retained water could aid growers arrange their bonsai to mimic outdoor scenes. Bonsly is the former, thus the hole exists.

A Memorable and Notorious Card

Although this makes sense, yet, The company seems almost overly focused with Bonsly's hole. Even merch including stuffed Bonsly always incorporate a cavity at the bottom of this plant Pokémon. It makes no difference if the depiction of Bonsly in question is crying or content: It will display the hole. The hole is a fundamental aspect in Bonsly's appearance. Bonsly #71 became a meme among fans because of its distinctive hole, and also because of its unique position. Up until last year, the card was the only version of Bonsly available printed in a game where many of its monsters are typically depicted in multiple editions. Over a decade and a half, should you desire a Bonsly card, you were stuck with the hole version.

Emily's Dedication

"When I discovered Bonsly among the selections of infamous cards, I realized I located my favorite one," Emily states in a message, noting that it was unexpected that she hadn't encountered it earlier. She is quick to state her fondness for this particular card is completely useless, but she didn't care. The initial interest evolved into a full-blown obsession, with Emily purchasing every Bonsly #71 card she could possibly find. She soon developed a practice of going to the nearby card store every week, and became known to the employees as "Bonsly Girl". They started putting any new this specific card that came in aside just for Hopkins. Typically, these cards go for a few dollars, she says, calculating that her total expenditure is about $400 only on the album itself.

The Financial Side

These days, mint-condition Bonsly #71 cards may reach prices of nearly $15. While that's on the higher end, standard Bonsly #71 cards usually go for starting at $4. That price increase roughly aligns with the time Emily began her collection in earnest, although there are probably several factors at play. While it's true that Bonsly #71 is well-known in the community, Hopkins's posts regarding the card have also garnered a huge audience. As awareness of its existence continues to spread among more people, it's possible that the value of these cards might increase even more. If nothing else, enthusiasts say that card market costs are soaring in 2025 in general.

Her Relentless Pursuit

Nothing can halt her, however.

"What's incredible remains that a few followers and viewers from her channel have shipped copies of Bonsly to me to expand the set, and I am keeping these Bonsly safe forever," Emily states. Instead of being put off, fans are amazed and encouraged by her Bonsly binder.

"For years, I wished to try this," an observer mentions. "Buy up all of a common card|every copy of a common card