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The makers of Pokémon introduced collectors to the card series Diamond and Pearl expansion in the year 2007, including a Bonsly trading card. On this artwork, the fourth generation Rock Pokémon appears by artist Harada-san in an unusual pose. Here, Bonsly, which evolves into Sudowoodo appears knocked over and crying. However, don't mistake this, however. As its move the move Fake Tears, Bonsly is trying to sway the foe's feelings with the goal of lowering their attack. Memorable card, no? Electroacoustic harpist Emily Hopkins is a firm believer. She possesses a binder containing over 300 Bonsly illustrations to show for it.

Her Complete Set with Key Pieces

However, that's not everything she has either. She has acquired twenty holo reverse versions of the Bonsly card, showing the tyke in reflective foil covering everything except the primary illustration. The most valuable item, yet, proves to be the PSA 6-rated reverse holographic Bonsly edition. Sure, it's far from a high-grade Charizard illustration. But do you have a goofy, almost perfect card of Bonsly preserved in all its splendor? I didn't think so.

The Start of the Obsession

Hopkins has spent a large part of this year gathering every 2007 Bonsly card available on the market. She initially learned of this rare card in recent months, while debating the most infamous cards among collectors with an employee at a local shop. Omanyte in tears was a contender, along with the lonely Cubone on a park ride. However, the one that Crying Bonsly, aka the seventeenth card, that grabbed Emily's focus.

Behind Bonsly's Look

Bonsly is obviously influenced on bonsai trees, that are commonly placed in pots featuring holes for drainage. These are meant to support healthy development, so much so that growers encourage each other to create openings on the bottom if they don't already have one. Bonsai can also be placed on low dishes lacking drainage, known as suiban, and the retained water could aid caretakers style their trees to resemble natural landscapes. Bonsly fits the initial category, which explains the hole.

The Infamous Hole Card

Even with this reasonable background, though, The Pokémon Company appears somewhat excessively attentive regarding the hole in Bonsly. Even merchandise such as Bonsly plush toys always incorporate a hollow cavern below of Bonsly. It makes no difference if the illustration of Bonsly in question appears sad or content: It features hole. The opening is a key element in Bonsly's appearance. Card number 71 became a meme in collector circles because of its distinctive hole, in addition to its rarity. Until recently, this Bonsly card was the single type featuring Bonsly included in the series in which most Pokémon are commonly shown in dozens of different ways. Over a decade and a half, if you wanted a card of Bonsly, you had to settle with this specific design.

A Growing Obsession

"When I discovered this card on the list of infamous cards, I knew I discovered my new favorite," Hopkins shares over email, adding that she was surprised to have missed it until then. She'll be the first to state her love of this particular card is completely useless, but it didn't matter. The liking turned into a major fixation, with Emily purchasing every Bonsly #71 card she could possibly find. She adopted a routine of going to her favorite shop on a weekly basis, and became known by workers as the Bonsly collector. The store began reserving all incoming copies of Bonsly #71 it received aside just for Hopkins. Most of these cards go for a few dollars, she mentions, approximating she's spent somewhere around $400 just on the binder alone.

Rising Prices

These days, mint-condition this Bonsly card can cost up to $14.99. While that is a premium price, run-of-the-mill copies tend to cost starting at $4. The upward trend more or less coincides with the time Emily began collecting seriously, though there are likely several factors at play. Although Bonsly #71 is well-known among collectors, her online content about it have also garnered millions of views. With information regarding Bonsly #71 expands further among more people, it is likely that their market price might increase even more. If nothing else, collectors mention how card market costs are climbing currently overall.

Unstoppable Determination

Nothing can halt her, though.

"What's incredible is that a few followers and fans on social media have shipped copies of Bonsly her way for her album, and they will remain these Bonsly safe forever," she declares. Rather than recoil in horror, fans are impressed and inspired by her collection.

"For years, I wished to try this," an observer mentions. "Purchase all of a common card|every copy of a common card