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The Pokémon Company unveiled collectors to the Pokémon TCG Diamond & Pearl set back in 2007, including a Bonsly trading card. Within this depiction, the Gen 4 Rock Pokémon is portrayed by artist Harada-san in an unusual pose. Here, the predecessor to Sudowoodo is depicted fallen and weeping. However, don't mistake this, though. As its move Fake Tears, Bonsly is trying to sway their opponent's emotions with the goal of decreasing their offensive power. Iconic piece, isn't it? Musician and harpist Hopkins absolutely agrees. And she's got a binder filled with 305 Bonsly cards to show for it.

The Entire Assortment with Key Pieces

That's not everything she has as well. She obtained a score of holo reverse editions of this particular card, showing the small Pokémon with shiny foil covering everything except the primary illustration. The most valuable item, yet, proves to be the PSA 6-graded reverse holo Bonsly edition. Admittedly, it's not a high-grade original Charizard card. But do you have a goofy, close to mint Bonsly card preserved in its eternal glory? I didn't think so.

Origins of the Collection

Emily dedicated a large part of this year accumulating all available Bonsly cards from that year that she could locate. She first heard of this rare card at the start of the year, while talking about the most infamous cards among collectors with a staff member at her favorite card shop. Crying Omanyte was in the running, just like the lonely Cubone at the theme park. However, the one that The sobbing Bonsly, or card number 17, that caught Emily's focus.

The Concept of Bonsly

Bonsly draws clear inspiration by bonsai plants, that are commonly placed in containers that have drainage holes. They are designed to support healthy development, so much so that growers encourage each other to drill holes in their containers if holes are missing. Bonsai can also be placed in shallow containers lacking drainage, called suiban, where the water stays can help enthusiasts arrange their bonsai to mimic outdoor scenes. Bonsly represents the first type, hence the hole.

The Infamous Hole Card

Although this makes sense, however, The Pokémon Company looks a bit excessively attentive with Bonsly's hole. Even merch like Bonsly plushes always incorporate a hollow cavern on the underside of the tree-like Pokémon. It makes no difference if the illustration of this particular Bonsly is weeping or at ease: It will display a hole. The opening is a key element of how Bonsly looks. This specific Bonsly card gained meme status in collector circles both due to its distinctive hole, in addition to its rarity. For years before, this Bonsly card was the only version featuring Bonsly printed in a game where numerous creatures usually appear in multiple editions. For sixteen years, should you desire this Pokémon card, you were stuck for hole Bonsly.

The Collector's Passion

"When I discovered Bonsly among the selections of oddball cards, I realized I discovered the one for me," Hopkins shares over email, noting that she was surprised to have missed it until then. She is quick to tell you her love of Bonsly #71 serves no practical purpose, yet that didn't stop her. The liking became a full-blown obsession, as she acquired each available Bonsly card available to her. She quickly got into a practice of visiting her favorite shop regularly, and was dubbed among the staff as the Bonsly collector. The shop started setting aside any recently acquired copies of Bonsly #71 they obtained aside just for Hopkins. Most of these cards are priced at one to three dollars, she says, estimating that her total expenditure is about $400 just on the binder alone.

Rising Prices

These days, pristine Bonsly #71 cards may reach prices of $14.99. While that's on the higher end, standard copies tend to cost $4 and above. That price increase more or less coincides with her starting point building her set, although there are probably multiple reasons. Even though the card is notorious among collectors, Hopkins's posts regarding the card have attracted a huge audience. As news regarding Bonsly #71 continues to spread to a wider audience, there's a chance the price of Bonsly #71 cards might increase even more. Regardless, enthusiasts say that card market costs are climbing currently in general.

No Signs of Stopping

Emily remains undeterred, though.

"The amazing thing is that certain fans and fans on social media have sent their Bonsly cards to Emily to add to my collection, and she is preserving these cards protected always," Hopkins says. Instead of being put off, the audience are impressed and inspired by her Bonsly binder.

"For years, I wished to attempt something similar," a viewer notes. "Acquire all of a common card|every copy of a common card