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Pokémon creators introduced the world to the Pokémon TCG Diamond and Pearl expansion during 2007, featuring the Bonsly card. On this artwork, Gen IV stone creature appears by artist the talented Harada in an unusual situation. In the image, this pre-evolution can be seen toppled and crying. Don't be fooled, yet. Like its ability Fake Tears suggests, the little creature aims to sway their opponent's emotions to reducing their attack. Unforgettable artwork, right? Electroacoustic harpist Hopkins absolutely agrees. She owns an album with 305 Bonsly cards as evidence.

Her Complete Set Including Rare Finds

However, that's not the full extent as well. She's got twenty reverse foil versions featuring Bonsly, portraying the tyke in reflective foil covering everything except the central artwork. The most valuable item, though, is the PSA 6-graded reverse holographic Bonsly edition. Sure, it's not a high-grade Charizard illustration. However, can you claim a quirky, almost perfect Bonsly illustration kept in its eternal glory? I thought as much.

How It All Began

Emily dedicated most of the current year gathering every 2007 Bonsly card available on the market. She discovered about the out-of-print card in recent months, during a discussion the most infamous cards in the compendium with an employee in a nearby store. Crying Omanyte was considered, as was the lonely Cubone in an amusement park. But it was The sobbing Bonsly, or card number 17, that caught her interest.

The Design and Inspiration

The design of Bonsly is based by bonsai plants, which are often grown in pots with holes at the bottom. They are designed to help the plant grow, in fact growers suggest to peers to create openings into their pots when none are present. Bonsai can also be placed in shallow containers hole-free, called suiban, and the collected moisture could aid enthusiasts style their trees to resemble nature vistas. Bonsly represents the first type, thus the hole exists.

A Memorable and Notorious Card

Although this makes sense, though, The Pokémon Company looks a bit overly focused about the drainage feature. Even merch such as Bonsly plush toys make sure to include a hollow cavern at the bottom of the tree-like Pokémon. It makes no difference if the illustration of the Pokémon appears sad or at ease: It features hole. This hole represents a fundamental aspect in Bonsly's appearance. This specific Bonsly card turned into an internet joke in collector circles thanks to its distinctive hole, as well as its status. Up until last year, this Bonsly card was the only version of Bonsly available released in the TCG where many of its monsters usually appear in various forms. For 16 years, should you desire this Pokémon card, you needed to accept with the hole version.

The Collector's Passion

"Upon noticing Bonsly in the list of these cursed cards, I knew I discovered my new favorite," she explains over email, noting that she felt astonished 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 initial interest turned into an all-consuming hobby, with Emily purchasing every Bonsly #71 card she could possibly find. She quickly got into a practice of stopping by her favorite shop every week, and earned the nickname among the staff as "Bonsly Girl". The shop started setting aside any recently acquired copies of Bonsly #71 it received aside just for Hopkins. The majority of these cost between $1 and $3, she mentions, estimating that she has invested about $400 just on the binder alone.

The Financial Side

Currently, mint-condition Bonsly #71 cards can cost up to nearly $15. While that is a premium price, ordinary Bonsly #71 cards usually go for four dollars or more. This rise in cost corresponds to when Hopkins started her collection in earnest, though there are likely various influences. Although Bonsly #71 is well-known in the community, her online content on it have attracted a huge audience. As awareness about this card continues to spread to a wider audience, it is likely that their market price may continue to shoot up. At the very least, enthusiasts note that TCG prices are skyrocketing currently in general.

No Signs of Stopping

Nothing can halt her, yet.

"What's incredible is that a few followers and viewers from her channel have sent copies of Bonsly her way for her album, and they will remain these cards protected always," she declares. Far from being alarmed, fans feel admiration and motivation by her Bonsly binder.

"I've actually always wanted to attempt something similar," one commenter says. "Acquire all of a common card|every copy of a common card