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The makers of Pokémon released fans to the card series DP set back in 2007, including a Bonsly trading card. On this artwork, the fourth generation stone creature is portrayed by artist the talented Harada in an unusual position. On the card, this pre-evolution can be seen fallen and crying. However, don't mistake this, yet. Like its ability the move Fake Tears, this Pokémon attempts to manipulate the other player's mood with the goal of decreasing their attack. Iconic piece, no? Harp player Emily is a firm believer. She possesses an album with 305 cards of Bonsly to prove it.

The Entire Assortment Including Rare Finds

However, that's not the whole collection also. She's got twenty reverse holographic versions of the Bonsly card, showing the small Pokémon in reflective foil all over except the central artwork. The crown jewel, though, turns out to be the PSA 6-graded reverse holographic of Bonsly. Sure, it isn't a top-graded Charizard from the base set. However, can you claim a goofy, nearly pristine Bonsly illustration kept in all its splendor? Probably not.

The Start of the Obsession

Emily dedicated a large part of this year stockpiling each Bonsly card from 2007 she can possibly find. She discovered regarding this discontinued card in recent months, while talking about the notoriously odd cards among collectors with an employee in a nearby store. The weeping Omanyte was in the running, along with Cubone by itself on a park ride. But it was The sobbing Bonsly, aka the seventeenth card, which captured Emily's focus.

The Design and Inspiration

Bonsly draws clear inspiration on bonsai trees, which are often grown in pots that have drainage holes. These are meant to aid growth, in fact fans suggest to peers to create openings into their pots when none are present. Additionally, bonsai may sit on shallow pots hole-free, referred to as suiban, where the water stays can help growers arrange their bonsai to mimic outdoor scenes. Bonsly represents the first type, hence the hole.

The Infamous Hole Card

Although this makes sense, yet, The Pokémon Company appears somewhat excessively attentive regarding the hole in Bonsly. Even merchandise such as Bonsly plush toys make sure to include a cavity below of this plant Pokémon. It makes no difference if the illustration of Bonsly in question appears sad or at ease: It's going to show hole. The opening is a key element of how Bonsly looks. Bonsly #71 became a meme within the community thanks to that drainage hole, in addition to its rarity. Up until last year, Bonsly #71 remained the sole iteration of Bonsly available released in the TCG in which most Pokémon usually appear in dozens of different ways. For sixteen years, were you seeking a card of Bonsly, you had to settle with this specific design.

A Growing Obsession

"Upon noticing this card on the list of oddball cards, I realized I discovered my favorite one," she explains via email, mentioning how she was surprised that she hadn't encountered it earlier. She is quick to inform you her fondness for the Bonsly card serves no practical purpose, but she didn't care. The appreciation turned into an all-consuming hobby, as she acquired every Bonsly #71 card she could possibly find. She soon developed a practice of visiting the nearby card store on a weekly basis, and became known to the employees as "Bonsly Girl". The store began putting any new copies of Bonsly #71 it received exclusively for Emily. Typically, these cards are priced at one to three dollars, she notes, calculating that she has invested about $400 for the collection book.

Market Trends and Value

Nowadays, mint-condition Bonsly #71 cards might be valued at nearly $15. While that's on the higher end, run-of-the-mill copies usually go for $4 and above. The upward trend roughly aligns with when Hopkins started collecting seriously, though there are likely several factors at play. Although Bonsly #71 is well-known among collectors, Hopkins's posts on it have attracted countless views. As news regarding Bonsly #71 keeps growing to a wider audience, there's a chance their market price might increase even more. At the very least, collectors mention how trading card game values are skyrocketing currently overall.

Unstoppable Determination

Nothing can halt her, yet.

"The amazing thing is that certain fans and fans of the YouTube channel have shipped their Bonsly cards to Emily to add to my collection, and they will remain these Bonsly safe forever," Hopkins says. Rather than recoil in horror, viewers are impressed and inspired by her Bonsly binder.

"I've actually always wanted to do this," one commenter says. "Purchase all of a common card|every copy of a common card