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The makers of Pokémon introduced the world to the trading card game Diamond & Pearl edition in the year 2007, showcasing the Bonsly card. In this card, the Gen 4 rock-type is portrayed by designer Harada-san in an unusual situation. In the image, Bonsly, which evolves into Sudowoodo appears fallen and crying. But don't misunderstand, though. Similar to its attack Fake Tears suggests, Bonsly attempts to influence the other player's mood with the goal of reducing their attack. Unforgettable artwork, right? Musician and harpist Emily Hopkins is a firm believer. She owns a collection book filled with 305 cards of Bonsly as evidence.

The Full Collection with Key Pieces

That's not the full extent as well. She obtained twenty holo reverse versions of the Bonsly card, which depicts the little guy with metallic accents everywhere but the central artwork. The prized possession, however, turns out to be the professionally graded PSA 6 reverse holo Bonsly edition. Certainly, it's not a top-graded Charizard illustration. But do you have an amusing, nearly pristine Bonsly illustration preserved in its eternal glory? Probably not.

The Start of the Obsession

Emily dedicated much of 2025 gathering 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 most cursed cards among collectors with an employee at a local shop. The weeping Omanyte was in the running, just like the forever alone Cubone on a park ride. But it was Bonsly crying, also known as the seventeenth card, which captured Hopkins's attention.

Behind Bonsly's Look

The design of Bonsly is based from miniature trees, that are commonly placed in pots with holes at the bottom. These holes are intended to aid growth, to the extent that enthusiasts encourage each other to add holes in their containers if holes are missing. They can also be positioned on low dishes without holes, referred to as suiban, and the collected moisture may assist caretakers style their trees to resemble nature vistas. Bonsly is the former, thus the hole exists.

Why Bonsly Stands Out

Despite this logical explanation, yet, The Pokémon Company appears somewhat a little too concerned regarding the hole in Bonsly. Also, products including stuffed Bonsly make sure to include an empty space at the bottom of Bonsly. It doesn't matter whether the portrayal of this particular Bonsly is crying or calm: It's going to show a hole. This hole represents a fundamental aspect of Bonsly's design. Bonsly #71 gained meme status in collector circles both due to its distinctive hole, and also because of its status. For years before, Bonsly #71 was the single type of Bonsly available printed in a game in which most Pokémon are commonly shown in dozens of different ways. For 16 years, if you wanted this Pokémon card, you were stuck with this specific design.

A Growing Obsession

"Upon noticing Bonsly among the selections of infamous cards, I realized I located my new favorite," Hopkins shares in a message, adding that she was surprised to have never seen it before. She is quick to inform you her passion for Bonsly #71 is completely useless, but she didn't care. The appreciation became an all-consuming hobby, as she acquired all copies of this card that she could get her hands on. She quickly got into a practice of going to her local card shop every week, and earned the nickname by workers as "Bonsly Girl". The shop started setting aside any recently acquired copies of Bonsly #71 it received aside just for Hopkins. Typically, these cards go for a few dollars, she mentions, calculating that she has invested about $400 for the collection book.

Market Trends and Value

These days, excellent Bonsly #71 cards can cost up to $14.99. While that's on the higher end, run-of-the-mill Bonsly #71 cards usually go for starting at $4. The upward trend more or less coincides with when Hopkins started building her set, though there are likely various influences. Although Bonsly #71 is well-known with enthusiasts, Hopkins's posts regarding the card have received millions of views. As awareness regarding Bonsly #71 continues to spread to new fans, there's a chance the value of these cards could keep rising. If nothing else, enthusiasts say that TCG prices are skyrocketing this year overall.

No Signs of Stopping

Hopkins cannot be stopped, yet.

"What's incredible is certain fans and fans from her channel have shipped their own Bonsly cards her way for her album, and she is preserving these cards protected always," Hopkins says. Rather than recoil in horror, fans are impressed and inspired by this project.

"I've actually always wanted to do this," an observer mentions. "Buy up all of a common card|every copy of a common card