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The Pokémon Company introduced collectors to the card series Diamond & Pearl expansion in the year 2007, featuring a Bonsly trading card. In this card, Gen IV rock-type appears by illustrator Harada-san in a, shall we say, compromising position. Here, Bonsly, which evolves into Sudowoodo can be seen knocked over and weeping. But don't misunderstand, though. As its move Fake Tears suggests, Bonsly aims to sway the other player's mood in the hopes of lowering their offensive power. Memorable card, isn't it? Musician and harpist Emily Hopkins is a firm believer. She possesses an album filled with 305 Bonsly cards to show for it.

The Full Collection with Key Pieces

However, that's not everything she has also. She has acquired 20 holo reverse copies of this particular card, which depicts the small Pokémon with metallic accents all over except the primary illustration. The most valuable item, yet, turns out to be the PSA 6-graded holo reverse Bonsly edition. Admittedly, it's not a high-grade Charizard from the base set. However, can you claim a quirky, almost perfect card of Bonsly preserved in all its splendor? Probably not.

How It All Began

Emily dedicated most of the current year gathering all available Bonsly cards from that year that she could locate. She first heard of this rare card earlier this year, while debating the most infamous cards among collectors with an employee at a local shop. The weeping Omanyte was in the running, along with the forever alone Cubone on a park ride. However, the one that The sobbing Bonsly, also known as Bonsly #17, which captured Emily's focus.

The Concept of Bonsly

The design of Bonsly is based on bonsai trees, which are typically planted in containers featuring holes for drainage. These holes are intended to help the plant grow, to the extent that growers encourage each other to add holes in their containers if holes are missing. Bonsai can also be placed on shallow pots without holes, referred to as suiban, and the retained water may assist enthusiasts style their trees to resemble nature vistas. Bonsly represents the first type, which explains the hole.

The Infamous Hole Card

Although this makes sense, however, The company seems almost excessively attentive with Bonsly's hole. Also, products like Bonsly plushes make sure to include an empty space at the bottom of the tree-like Pokémon. It makes no difference if the illustration of this particular Bonsly is crying or content: It's going to show a hole. The hole is a key element of Bonsly's design. Bonsly #71 became a meme among fans both due to that drainage hole, and also because of its rarity. For years before, the card was the only version featuring Bonsly released in the TCG where numerous creatures are typically depicted in dozens of different ways. For 16 years, were you seeking a Bonsly card, you needed to accept with the hole version.

Emily's Dedication

"When I discovered Bonsly among the selections of these cursed cards, I realized I had found the one for me," Hopkins shares in a message, noting that she felt astonished to have missed it until then. She'll be the first to inform you her fondness for this particular card is completely useless, yet that didn't stop her. The initial interest turned into a full-blown obsession, as Hopkins bought each available Bonsly card that she could get her hands on. She soon developed a routine of going to the nearby card store regularly, and was dubbed to the employees as "Bonsly Girl". The store began reserving all incoming copies of Bonsly #71 they obtained aside just for Hopkins. The majority of these are priced at one to three dollars, she says, approximating she has invested approximately four hundred dollars only on the album itself.

Rising Prices

Currently, pristine this Bonsly card may reach prices of nearly $15. Although that is expensive, run-of-the-mill copies usually go for $4 and above. This rise in cost more or less coincides with the time Emily began collecting seriously, though there are likely several factors at play. Even though the card is notorious in the community, Hopkins's posts on it have also garnered a huge audience. As awareness of its existence expands further to new fans, it's possible that their market price may continue to shoot up. Regardless, enthusiasts mention how card market costs are skyrocketing currently in general.

Unstoppable Determination

Emily remains undeterred, though.

"What's incredible is that a few followers and fans on social media have mailed their Bonsly cards her way to add to my collection, and they will remain these Bonsly safe forever," Emily states. Instead of being put off, the audience are amazed and encouraged by her collection.

"I've long desired to try this," one commenter says. "Purchase all of a common card|every copy of a common card