She Has Amassed Numerous of Pokémon Hole Cards, and You Can't Stop Her.

The Pokémon Company unveiled collectors to the card series Diamond & Pearl set in the year 2007, showcasing the Bonsly card. In this card, Gen IV stone creature appears by designer Harada-san in an unusual situation. In the image, this pre-evolution is depicted fallen and crying. However, don't mistake this, however. As its move Fake Tears suggests, the little creature is trying to sway their opponent's emotions to decreasing their offensive power. Unforgettable artwork, isn't it? Harp player Emily Hopkins certainly thinks so. She possesses an album filled with 305 Bonsly cards as evidence.

Her Complete Set and Its Highlights

However, that's not the full extent also. She's got twenty reverse foil copies featuring Bonsly, which depicts the small Pokémon with shiny foil covering everything except the main image. The most valuable item, yet, is the professionally graded PSA 6 reverse holographic Bonsly edition. Admittedly, it isn't a high-grade Charizard from the base set. However, can you claim a quirky, nearly pristine Bonsly illustration preserved forever immortalized? Probably not.

How It All Began

She invested much of 2025 accumulating all available Bonsly cards from that year available on the market. She discovered about the out-of-print card earlier this year, while debating the most cursed cards among collectors with a staff member in a nearby store. The weeping Omanyte was a contender, as was the forever alone Cubone at the theme park. However, the one that The sobbing Bonsly, or card number 17, which captured Emily's focus.

The Design and Inspiration

Bonsly draws clear inspiration on bonsai trees, which are typically planted in pots with holes at the bottom. They are designed to help the plant grow, to the extent that enthusiasts advise one another to add holes in their containers when none are present. Bonsai can also be placed on shallow pots hole-free, called suiban, where the water stays may assist growers decorate their plants to resemble natural landscapes. Bonsly fits the initial category, hence the hole.

A Memorable and Notorious Card

Despite this logical explanation, though, The company appears somewhat a little too concerned with Bonsly's hole. Even merchandise such as Bonsly plush toys ensure they feature a cavity below of Bonsly. Regardless whether the portrayal of this particular Bonsly is weeping or at ease: It will display the hole. The hole is a fundamental aspect of how Bonsly looks. Bonsly #71 became a meme within the community thanks to its distinctive hole, in addition to its status. Up until last year, the card was the single type of Bonsly card released in the TCG where numerous creatures are commonly shown in various forms. For 16 years, if you wanted a Bonsly card, you were stuck for hole Bonsly.

Emily's Dedication

"Upon noticing this card on the list of oddball cards, I knew I discovered my new favorite," Hopkins shares via email, noting that she was surprised that she hadn't encountered it earlier. She admits freely to inform you her fondness for Bonsly #71 is completely useless, but she didn't care. The liking became a full-blown obsession, with Emily purchasing each available Bonsly card that she could get her hands on. She soon developed a practice of stopping by her favorite shop every week, and earned the nickname to the employees as "Bonsly Girl". They started reserving all incoming Bonsly #71 cards that came in only for her. Most of these cards are priced at one to three dollars, she notes, estimating that her total expenditure is somewhere around $400 for the collection book.

Market Trends and Value

Nowadays, mint-condition the card may reach prices of around fifteen dollars. While that's on the higher end, run-of-the-mill Bonsly #71 cards tend to cost $4 and above. That price increase roughly aligns with her starting point building her set, but it's possible that various influences. Although the card is notorious with enthusiasts, Hopkins's posts about it have also garnered millions of views. With information of its existence expands further among more people, it is likely that the value of these cards might increase even more. At the very least, investors say that TCG prices are climbing currently in general.

Her Relentless Pursuit

Emily remains undeterred, though.

"The wonderful part is certain fans and fans from her channel have mailed their Bonsly cards her way to add to my collection, and they will remain them secure indefinitely," Emily states. Far from being alarmed, viewers are impressed and inspired by this project.

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

Ann Miller
Ann Miller

Mia Thompson is a bingo enthusiast and writer with 10 years of experience in the gaming industry.