🔗 Share this article

The makers of Pokémon released the world to the Pokémon TCG Diamond & Pearl edition in the year 2007, showcasing the Bonsly illustration. In this card, Gen IV Rock Pokémon is shown by designer Midori Harada in a somewhat awkward position. On the card, the predecessor to Sudowoodo can be seen knocked over and shedding tears. However, don't mistake this, however. Like its ability Fake Tears, the little creature aims to sway the other player's mood to decreasing their attack. Memorable card, no? Harp player Hopkins absolutely agrees. She possesses an album containing over 300 Bonsly illustrations to show for it.

Her Complete Set with Key Pieces

However, that's not everything she has either. She's got twenty reverse foil copies of the Bonsly card, which depicts the little guy with shiny foil all over except the central artwork. The crown jewel, however, is the PSA 6-rated holo reverse of Bonsly. Sure, it isn't a high-grade Charizard from the base set. But do you have a goofy, almost perfect card of Bonsly preserved in its eternal glory? I thought as much.

Origins of the Collection

Hopkins has spent a large part of this year stockpiling all available Bonsly cards from that year she can possibly find. She initially learned regarding this discontinued card in recent months, during a discussion the most infamous cards in the compendium with an employee in a nearby store. Crying Omanyte was in the running, along with the forever alone Cubone at the theme park. However, the one that The sobbing Bonsly, or Bonsly #17, that caught Emily's focus.

The Design and Inspiration

The design of Bonsly is based by bonsai plants, which are typically planted in pots featuring holes for drainage. These are meant to help the plant grow, to the extent that growers advise one another to drill holes in their containers when none are present. They can also be positioned in shallow containers without holes, referred to as suiban, and the retained water could aid enthusiasts decorate their plants to mimic nature vistas. Bonsly fits the initial category, hence the hole.

A Memorable and Notorious Card

Even with this reasonable background, yet, Pokémon's creators seems almost a little too concerned regarding the hole in Bonsly. Also, products like Bonsly plushes always incorporate an empty space 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's going to show the hole. The hole is an intrinsic part of Bonsly's design. Bonsly #71 turned into an internet joke within the community both due to that drainage hole, in addition to its unique position. Up until last year, this Bonsly card remained the sole iteration of Bonsly card included in the series where numerous creatures are commonly shown in dozens of different ways. Over a decade and a half, if you wanted a card of Bonsly, you were stuck for hole Bonsly.

The Collector's Passion

"Upon noticing Bonsly among the selections of infamous cards, I knew I located my new favorite," Hopkins shares in a message, mentioning how it was unexpected to have never seen it before. She admits freely to inform you her fondness for the Bonsly card is completely useless, but she didn't care. The appreciation evolved into a major fixation, as Hopkins bought every Bonsly #71 card available to her. She quickly got into a habit of going to her favorite shop every week, and earned the nickname by workers as "Bonsly Girl". The store began setting aside any recently acquired this specific card that came in aside just for Hopkins. Typically, these cards cost between $1 and $3, she notes, approximating she has invested about $400 for the collection book.

Rising Prices

Nowadays, mint-condition this Bonsly card may reach prices of $14.99. While that is a premium price, ordinary versions usually go for four dollars or more. The upward trend roughly aligns with the time Emily began collecting seriously, but it's possible that multiple reasons. Even though this card is famous in the community, her online content regarding the card have attracted millions of views. With information about this card continues to spread among more people, it is likely that the value of these cards could keep rising. If nothing else, collectors mention how card market costs are climbing this year overall.

Unstoppable Determination

Hopkins cannot be stopped, however.

"The amazing thing is that some supporters and viewers of the YouTube channel have shipped copies of Bonsly to me to expand the set, and they will remain them secure indefinitely," she declares. Instead of being put off, viewers are impressed and inspired by her collection.

"I've long desired to try this," an observer mentions. "Buy up all of a common card|every copy of a common card