She Has Amassed Countless of Pokemon Hole Cards, and She's Unstoppable.
The Pokémon Company released fans to the card series Diamond & Pearl set back in 2007, featuring a Bonsly trading card. On this artwork, the fourth generation rock-type appears by artist Harada-san in a, shall we say, compromising situation. On the card, the predecessor to Sudowoodo is depicted toppled and crying. Don't be fooled, yet. Similar to its attack Fake Tears, Bonsly attempts to influence their opponent's emotions with the goal of reducing their attack. Memorable card, no? Harp player Hopkins is a firm believer. And she's got a binder filled with 305 Bonsly cards to prove it.
Her Complete Set Including Rare Finds
However, that's not the full extent either. She obtained a score of holo reverse versions of the Bonsly card, showing the little guy in reflective foil everywhere but the central artwork. The most valuable item, however, is the PSA 6-graded reverse holographic of Bonsly. Admittedly, it isn't a mint-condition Charizard from the base set. But do you have an amusing, close to mint Bonsly illustration maintained forever immortalized? I thought as much.
How It All Began
Hopkins has spent much of 2025 gathering each Bonsly card from 2007 she can possibly find. She first heard about the out-of-print card in recent months, during a discussion the most cursed cards among collectors with a worker in a nearby store. The weeping Omanyte was a contender, as was the forever alone Cubone in an amusement park. However, the one that Crying Bonsly, or card number 17, that caught Hopkins's attention.
Behind Bonsly's Look
Bonsly is obviously influenced on bonsai trees, which are typically planted in pots featuring holes for drainage. They are designed to aid growth, so much so that enthusiasts advise one another to drill holes in their containers when none are present. Bonsai can also be placed on low dishes lacking drainage, referred to as suiban, and the retained water may assist caretakers style their trees to look like natural landscapes. Bonsly is the former, hence the hole.
Why Bonsly Stands Out
Despite this logical explanation, though, The company seems almost overly focused with Bonsly's hole. Even merchandise such as Bonsly plush toys ensure they feature a cavity below of Bonsly. It doesn't matter if the depiction of Bonsly in question is crying or content: It features a hole. This hole represents an intrinsic part of how Bonsly looks. This specific Bonsly card turned into an internet joke within the community because of its distinctive hole, and also because of its unique position. Up until last year, the card was the single type of Bonsly card included in the series in which most Pokémon are commonly shown in various forms. Over a decade and a half, if you wanted this Pokémon card, you had to settle with the hole version.
The Collector's Passion
"Upon noticing Bonsly in the list of oddball cards, I felt I discovered my favorite one," Hopkins shares via email, adding that she felt astonished to have missed it until then. She admits freely to state her passion for Bonsly #71 serves no practical purpose, but she didn't care. The appreciation became a major fixation, with Emily purchasing every Bonsly #71 card that she could get her hands on. She quickly got into a routine of going to the nearby card store regularly, and became known among the staff as the Bonsly collector. The shop started putting any new copies of Bonsly #71 it received aside just for Hopkins. Most of these cards cost between $1 and $3, she says, approximating she's spent about $400 for the collection book.
Rising Prices
Currently, pristine Bonsly #71 cards might be valued at nearly $15. While that's on the higher end, run-of-the-mill copies are often priced at starting at $4. This rise in cost more or less coincides with when Hopkins started her collection in earnest, but it's possible that various influences. Although this card is famous with enthusiasts, Emily's social media updates about it have also garnered a huge audience. As awareness regarding Bonsly #71 continues to spread among more people, it is likely that the value of these cards might increase even more. At the very least, collectors note that TCG prices are skyrocketing this year in general.
Unstoppable Determination
Nothing can halt her, though.
"What's incredible remains that some supporters and fans of the YouTube channel have shipped their Bonsly cards her way to expand the set, and I am keeping these Bonsly safe forever," she declares. Instead of being put off, viewers are impressed and inspired by this project.
"I've actually always wanted to do this," a viewer notes. "Purchase all of a common card|every copy of a common card
