She's Collected Countless of Pokemon Hole Cards, and She's Unstoppable.

Pokémon creators released collectors to the trading card game Diamond and Pearl expansion during 2007, featuring a Bonsly trading card. Within this depiction, the fourth generation rock-type is portrayed by designer Harada-san in an unusual situation. Here, the predecessor to Sudowoodo appears knocked over and shedding tears. However, don't mistake this, however. As its move the move Fake Tears, Bonsly attempts to influence their opponent's emotions in the hopes of reducing their damage output. Iconic piece, right? Musician and harpist Emily Hopkins certainly thinks so. She owns a collection book with 305 Bonsly cards to show for it.

The Full Collection with Key Pieces

But that isn't the full extent as well. She obtained twenty holo reverse copies of this particular card, which depicts the small Pokémon with metallic accents everywhere but the main image. The crown jewel, yet, turns out to be the PSA 6-graded reverse holographic Bonsly edition. Sure, it's not a top-graded Charizard from the base set. However, can you claim a quirky, nearly pristine Bonsly card preserved forever immortalized? I thought as much.

How It All Began

She invested much of 2025 accumulating each Bonsly card from 2007 available on the market. She initially learned of this rare card at the start of the year, while talking about the notoriously odd cards in the compendium with an employee in a nearby store. Crying Omanyte was considered, just like Cubone by itself at the theme park. However, the one that Bonsly crying, aka card number 17, that caught Emily's focus.

The Concept of Bonsly

Bonsly is obviously influenced by bonsai plants, which are often grown in containers that have drainage holes. These are meant to support healthy development, in fact fans advise one another to add holes on the bottom if they don't already have one. Additionally, bonsai may sit on shallow pots without holes, referred to as suiban, where the water stays could aid caretakers style their trees to look like nature vistas. Bonsly represents the first type, which explains the hole.

A Memorable and Notorious Card

Although this makes sense, however, The company appears somewhat overly focused with Bonsly's hole. Even merchandise such as Bonsly plush toys always incorporate a hollow cavern below of this plant Pokémon. Regardless if the illustration of this particular Bonsly is weeping or calm: It features a hole. This hole represents an intrinsic part in Bonsly's appearance. This specific Bonsly card gained meme status within the community because of its distinctive hole, in addition to its unique position. For years before, Bonsly #71 was the single type of Bonsly card printed in a game in which most Pokémon usually appear in multiple editions. Over a decade and a half, should you desire this Pokémon card, you were stuck with the hole version.

A Growing Obsession

"Upon noticing Bonsly in the list of these cursed cards, I felt I located the one for me," Hopkins shares via email, noting that she was surprised that she hadn't encountered it earlier. She admits freely to inform you her love of the Bonsly card serves no practical purpose, yet that didn't stop her. The appreciation evolved into a major fixation, as Hopkins bought each available Bonsly card available to her. She quickly got into a practice of visiting her local card shop regularly, and became known by workers as the Bonsly collector. The store began reserving all incoming Bonsly #71 cards that came in only for her. Most of these cards go for a few dollars, she notes, approximating her total expenditure is about $400 just on the binder alone.

The Financial Side

Nowadays, mint-condition the card may reach prices of $14.99. While that is a premium price, run-of-the-mill copies usually go for four dollars or more. That price increase more or less coincides with her starting point collecting seriously, though there are likely multiple reasons. While it's true that this card is famous among collectors, Emily's social media updates about it have also garnered countless views. As awareness about this card expands further among more people, it's possible that the value of these cards may continue to shoot up. If nothing else, enthusiasts say that trading card game values are skyrocketing currently in general.

Unstoppable Determination

Hopkins cannot be stopped, however.

"The wonderful part is certain fans and enthusiasts from her channel have mailed their Bonsly cards to Emily for her album, and they will remain them secure indefinitely," she declares. Far from being alarmed, fans are impressed and inspired by this project.

"I've long desired to do this," an observer mentions. "Purchase all of a common card|every copy of a common card

Julie Ballard
Julie Ballard

Elena Vance is a seasoned betting analyst with over a decade of experience reviewing UK gambling platforms and strategies.