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The Pokémon Company introduced fans to the Pokémon TCG DP set in the year 2007, featuring the Bonsly illustration. Within this depiction, Gen IV rock-type is portrayed by designer Midori Harada in an unusual pose. In the image, Bonsly, which evolves into Sudowoodo appears fallen and crying. Don't be fooled, yet. Similar to its attack the move Fake Tears, this Pokémon is trying to manipulate their opponent's emotions with the goal of lowering their offensive power. Iconic piece, right? Harp player Emily certainly thinks so. She owns an album with 305 Bonsly illustrations as evidence.

The Entire Assortment Including Rare Finds

That's not the full extent also. She's got 20 reverse foil versions featuring Bonsly, showing the small Pokémon in reflective foil all over except the main image. The crown jewel, however, turns out to be the professionally graded PSA 6 holo reverse Bonsly edition. Certainly, it's far from a high-grade Charizard illustration. Yet, do you possess an amusing, almost perfect Bonsly card preserved in its eternal glory? I thought as much.

How It All Began

Hopkins has spent most of the current year accumulating each Bonsly card from 2007 that she could locate. She initially learned of this rare card earlier this year, while talking about the most infamous cards in the Pokémon TCG with a staff member at a local shop. Crying Omanyte was considered, along with the forever alone Cubone at the theme park. However, the one that Crying Bonsly, also known as card number 17, that grabbed Emily's focus.

The Concept of Bonsly

Bonsly is obviously influenced on bonsai trees, that are commonly placed in pots that have drainage holes. These holes are intended to help the plant grow, to the extent that fans advise one another to add holes in their containers when none are present. Bonsai can also be placed on shallow pots lacking drainage, called suiban, where the water stays may assist growers style their trees to mimic natural landscapes. Bonsly represents the first type, thus the hole exists.

The Infamous Hole Card

Despite this logical explanation, however, The company appears somewhat overly focused regarding the hole in Bonsly. Even merchandise such as Bonsly plush toys ensure they feature an empty space at the bottom of the tree-like Pokémon. It doesn't matter if the illustration of this particular Bonsly is crying or calm: It features a hole. The hole is a key element of how Bonsly looks. This specific Bonsly card turned into an internet joke within the community both due to its distinctive hole, in addition to its unique position. Up until last year, the card was the only version of Bonsly card included in the series in which most Pokémon are commonly shown 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 in the list of oddball cards, I realized I discovered my favorite one," Hopkins shares via email, adding that she was surprised to have never seen it before. She admits freely to inform you her passion for Bonsly #71 serves no practical purpose, but it didn't matter. The appreciation evolved into a major fixation, as she acquired each available Bonsly card she could possibly find. She adopted a habit of visiting her favorite shop every week, and earned the nickname to the employees as the Bonsly fan. They started setting aside any recently acquired copies of Bonsly #71 that came in only for her. Typically, these cards go for a few dollars, she mentions, calculating that she has invested about $400 just on the binder alone.

The Financial Side

Currently, pristine Bonsly #71 cards may reach prices of nearly $15. While that is a premium price, run-of-the-mill versions usually go for starting at $4. The upward trend more or less coincides with the time Emily began building her set, though there are likely several factors at play. While it's true that the card is notorious with enthusiasts, her online content about it have also garnered a huge audience. As news about this card keeps growing among more people, it's possible that the price of Bonsly #71 cards could keep rising. If nothing else, enthusiasts say that TCG prices are skyrocketing in 2025 overall.

No Signs of Stopping

Hopkins cannot be stopped, though.

"The amazing thing is some supporters and viewers of the YouTube channel have shipped copies of Bonsly to Emily to add to my collection, and they will remain these Bonsly safe forever," she declares. Rather than recoil in horror, viewers feel admiration and motivation by her Bonsly binder.

"I've actually always wanted to try this," a viewer notes. "Buy up all of a common card|every copy of a common card