She's Collected Numerous of Pokemon Hole Cards, and You Can't Stop Her.
Pokémon creators unveiled collectors to the Pokémon TCG Diamond and Pearl expansion during 2007, featuring a Bonsly trading card. In this card, the fourth generation stone creature is portrayed by artist the talented Harada in a somewhat awkward situation. On the card, this pre-evolution is depicted toppled and crying. Don't be fooled, yet. As its move Fake Tears suggests, this Pokémon attempts to manipulate their opponent's emotions with the goal of lowering their damage output. Memorable card, isn't it? Harp player Hopkins absolutely agrees. She owns a binder with 305 cards of Bonsly as evidence.
The Full Collection and Its Highlights
That's not everything she has either. She obtained twenty holo reverse copies of this particular card, portraying the small Pokémon with metallic accents everywhere but the primary illustration. The prized possession, yet, is the PSA 6-graded reverse holo Bonsly edition. Sure, it's far from a high-grade Charizard from the base set. However, can you claim an amusing, nearly pristine card of Bonsly preserved in all its splendor? I thought as much.
The Start of the Obsession
Emily dedicated much of 2025 gathering every 2007 Bonsly card available on the market. She discovered regarding this discontinued card at the start of the year, while talking about the notoriously odd cards in the compendium with a worker in a nearby store. Omanyte in tears was in the running, as was the forever alone Cubone at the theme park. But it was Crying Bonsly, also known as Bonsly #17, that grabbed Emily's focus.
Behind Bonsly's Look
Bonsly draws clear inspiration from miniature trees, which are typically planted in planters featuring holes for drainage. They are designed to support healthy development, to the extent that fans suggest to peers to drill holes into their pots if holes are missing. Bonsai can also be placed on shallow pots without holes, called suiban, where the water stays may assist growers style their trees to resemble nature vistas. Bonsly is the former, hence the hole.
Why Bonsly Stands Out
Despite this logical explanation, though, The Pokémon Company seems almost overly focused about the drainage feature. Even merch including stuffed Bonsly ensure they feature a hollow cavern on the underside of Bonsly. It makes no difference if the illustration of the Pokémon is weeping or content: It will display a hole. This hole represents an intrinsic part of how Bonsly looks. This specific Bonsly card turned into an internet joke in collector circles both due to its distinctive hole, and also because of its rarity. Until recently, the card was the only version featuring Bonsly released in the TCG where numerous creatures usually appear in dozens of different ways. For sixteen years, should you desire a Bonsly card, you were stuck with this specific design.
The Collector's Passion
"When I saw Bonsly among the selections of these cursed cards, I realized I had found the one for me," Hopkins shares over email, adding that she felt astonished to have never seen it before. She is quick to inform you her fondness for this particular card serves no practical purpose, yet that didn't stop her. The liking turned into a major fixation, as Hopkins bought every Bonsly #71 card that she could get her hands on. She soon developed a habit of visiting her favorite shop regularly, and became known to the employees as the Bonsly fan. The store began reserving all incoming Bonsly #71 cards it received aside just for Hopkins. The majority of these go for a few dollars, she notes, estimating that her total expenditure is about $400 just on the binder alone.
Rising Prices
These days, pristine the card can cost up to $14.99. Although that is expensive, standard Bonsly #71 cards are often priced at $4 and above. This rise in cost corresponds to her starting point building her set, although there are probably various influences. Even though this card is famous in the community, her online content on it have also garnered a huge audience. As awareness about this card continues to spread among more people, it is likely that their market price may continue to shoot up. Regardless, investors note that card market costs are soaring this year overall.
No Signs of Stopping
Hopkins cannot be stopped, though.
"The amazing thing is that some supporters and viewers from her channel have shipped their own Bonsly cards her way to expand the set, and I am keeping these Bonsly safe forever," Hopkins says. Far from being alarmed, fans feel admiration and motivation by her collection.
"I've actually always wanted to try this," a viewer notes. "Acquire all of a common card|every copy of a common card
