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Pokémon creators released fans to the Pokémon TCG Diamond & Pearl expansion back in 2007, showcasing the Bonsly card. On this artwork, the fourth generation stone creature is shown by illustrator Harada-san in a, shall we say, compromising pose. Here, this pre-evolution can be seen knocked over and crying. But don't misunderstand, however. As its move Fake Tears suggests, the little creature aims to sway the foe's feelings with the goal of reducing their attack. Unforgettable artwork, no? Musician and harpist Emily Hopkins is a firm believer. She possesses an album with 305 Bonsly illustrations as evidence.

Her Complete Set Including Rare Finds

That's not everything she has also. She has acquired twenty reverse foil editions of this particular card, showing the tyke with shiny foil everywhere but the central artwork. The crown jewel, yet, is the PSA 6-rated reverse holographic of Bonsly. Admittedly, it's far from a top-graded Charizard illustration. But do you have a goofy, close to mint Bonsly card kept in all its splendor? I didn't think so.

Origins of the Collection

Hopkins has spent much of 2025 stockpiling all available Bonsly cards from that year available on the market. She discovered about the out-of-print card at the start of the year, while debating the most cursed cards in the compendium with a staff member in a nearby store. Omanyte in tears was considered, as was the forever alone Cubone in an amusement park. However, the one that Crying Bonsly, aka the seventeenth card, that grabbed Hopkins's attention.

The Design and Inspiration

Bonsly draws clear inspiration from miniature trees, which are often grown in pots that have drainage holes. These are meant to aid growth, in fact enthusiasts encourage each other to create openings on the bottom when none are present. They can also be positioned in shallow containers without holes, referred to as suiban, and the collected moisture may assist enthusiasts style their trees to resemble outdoor scenes. Bonsly is the former, which explains the hole.

A Memorable and Notorious Card

Despite this logical explanation, yet, The company looks a bit excessively attentive regarding the hole in Bonsly. Even merch including stuffed Bonsly ensure they feature a hollow cavern on the underside of the tree-like Pokémon. Regardless if the illustration of Bonsly in question is weeping or at ease: It will display hole. The hole is a fundamental aspect of Bonsly's design. This specific Bonsly card became a meme within the community both due to the famous hole, as well as its status. Until recently, this Bonsly card remained the sole iteration of Bonsly card included in the series where numerous creatures are typically depicted in multiple editions. Over a decade and a half, should you desire this Pokémon card, you needed to accept with the hole version.

A Growing Obsession

"Upon noticing Bonsly in the list of infamous cards, I felt I had found my favorite one," she explains in a message, mentioning how she felt astonished that she hadn't encountered it earlier. She admits freely to state her love of Bonsly #71 has no real value, yet that didn't stop her. The appreciation became a major fixation, as Hopkins bought all copies of this card she could possibly find. She adopted a routine of going to her local card shop every week, and earned the nickname among the staff as the Bonsly fan. The store began reserving all incoming this specific card that came in only for her. Most of these cards are priced at one to three dollars, she says, estimating that she's spent somewhere around $400 only on the album itself.

The Financial Side

These days, mint-condition Bonsly #71 cards may reach prices of around fifteen dollars. While that's on the higher end, standard versions are often priced at $4 and above. This rise in cost corresponds to when Hopkins started her collection in earnest, though there are likely several factors at play. Even though the card is notorious with enthusiasts, her online content regarding the card have received a huge audience. With information about this card keeps growing to new fans, it's possible that the value of these cards could keep rising. If nothing else, enthusiasts say that trading card game values are climbing currently overall.

Her Relentless Pursuit

Nothing can halt her, though.

"What's incredible remains that some supporters and enthusiasts on social media have mailed copies of Bonsly to me to add to my collection, and she is preserving them secure indefinitely," she declares. Far from being alarmed, viewers are amazed and encouraged by this project.

"For years, I wished to do this," a viewer notes. "Acquire all of a common card|every copy of a common card