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The makers of Pokémon unveiled collectors to the card series DP set back in 2007, including a Bonsly trading card. Within this depiction, the fourth generation Rock Pokémon is portrayed by illustrator Harada-san in a, shall we say, compromising position. Here, this pre-evolution is depicted toppled and weeping. However, don't mistake this, however. Like its ability the move Fake Tears, Bonsly aims to influence the foe's feelings in the hopes of reducing their damage output. Unforgettable artwork, isn't it? Harp player Hopkins absolutely agrees. She possesses a collection book containing over 300 Bonsly illustrations to prove it.

The Full Collection and Its Highlights

That's not everything she has either. She obtained 20 reverse holographic copies of the Bonsly card, which depicts the tyke with metallic accents everywhere but the primary illustration. The prized possession, however, is the professionally graded PSA 6 holo reverse Bonsly card. Certainly, it's not a top-graded original Charizard card. Yet, do you possess a quirky, close to mint Bonsly card preserved forever immortalized? I thought as much.

Origins of the Collection

She invested much of 2025 stockpiling each Bonsly card from 2007 that she could locate. She initially learned about the out-of-print card in recent months, while talking about the most infamous cards in the compendium with an employee in a nearby store. Crying Omanyte was in the running, just like Cubone by itself on a park ride. However, the one that Bonsly crying, or the seventeenth card, which captured her interest.

The Design and Inspiration

Bonsly draws clear inspiration by bonsai plants, which are often grown in pots with holes at the bottom. These holes are intended to aid growth, in fact fans suggest to peers to add holes in their containers when none are present. Additionally, bonsai may sit in shallow containers lacking drainage, known as suiban, and the collected moisture could aid enthusiasts style their trees to resemble outdoor scenes. Bonsly represents the first type, thus the hole exists.

Why Bonsly Stands Out

Despite this logical explanation, yet, Pokémon's creators looks a bit a little too concerned with Bonsly's hole. Even merch such as Bonsly plush toys always incorporate an empty space below of the tree-like Pokémon. It doesn't matter if the illustration of the Pokémon is weeping or content: It will display hole. The opening is a fundamental aspect in Bonsly's appearance. Card number 71 turned into an internet joke among fans thanks to its distinctive hole, and also because of its rarity. Up until last year, this Bonsly card was the single type featuring Bonsly released in the TCG where numerous creatures are typically depicted in multiple editions. Over a decade and a half, were you seeking a card of Bonsly, you were stuck with the hole version.

Emily's Dedication

"Upon noticing Bonsly among the selections of infamous cards, I knew I discovered the one for me," she explains via email, mentioning how she was surprised to have missed it until then. She'll be the first to tell you her fondness for Bonsly #71 serves no practical purpose, but it didn't matter. The liking turned into an all-consuming hobby, with Emily purchasing every Bonsly #71 card she could possibly find. She adopted a routine 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 Bonsly #71 cards they obtained exclusively for Emily. The majority of these go for a few dollars, she notes, estimating that she's spent somewhere around $400 only on the album itself.

The Financial Side

Currently, mint-condition the card may reach prices of $14.99. While that is a premium price, standard copies are often priced at $4 and above. That price increase more or less coincides with when Hopkins started building her set, but it's possible that several factors at play. While it's true that Bonsly #71 is well-known in the community, Emily's social media updates on it have attracted countless views. With information of its existence continues to spread to new fans, there's a chance the value of these cards could keep rising. Regardless, collectors say that TCG prices are soaring in 2025 in general.

Unstoppable Determination

Emily remains undeterred, yet.

"The wonderful part is that some supporters and fans from her channel have shipped their own Bonsly cards her way to add to my collection, and they will remain these cards protected always," Emily states. Far from being alarmed, the audience feel admiration and motivation by her Bonsly binder.

"I've actually always wanted to do this," an observer mentions. "Acquire all of a common card|every copy of a common card