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

Pokémon creators released collectors to the trading card game DP edition back in 2007, featuring the Bonsly card. In this card, Gen IV rock-type is shown by artist Harada-san in a, shall we say, compromising position. In the image, the predecessor to Sudowoodo can be seen toppled and crying. Don't be fooled, however. Like its ability Fake Tears, Bonsly attempts to sway the foe's feelings in the hopes of reducing their offensive power. Memorable card, isn't it? Harp player Emily is a firm believer. And she's got a collection book containing over 300 Bonsly cards as evidence.

Her Complete Set and Its Highlights

But that isn't the whole collection as well. She obtained 20 reverse foil copies of the Bonsly card, portraying the little guy in reflective foil all over except the primary illustration. The prized possession, though, turns out to be the PSA 6-graded reverse holo of Bonsly. Sure, it isn't a top-graded Charizard illustration. However, can you claim a goofy, almost perfect Bonsly illustration preserved in all its splendor? Probably not.

How It All Began

She invested most of the current year accumulating all available Bonsly cards from that year available on the market. She initially learned about the out-of-print card earlier this year, while talking about the most cursed cards in the Pokémon TCG with a staff member in a nearby store. The weeping Omanyte was considered, just like Cubone by itself in an amusement park. But it was Crying Bonsly, or card number 17, which captured Hopkins's attention.

The Design and Inspiration

Bonsly is obviously influenced on bonsai trees, which are often grown in planters featuring holes for drainage. These are meant to aid growth, so much so that fans encourage each other to add holes into their pots if holes are missing. Bonsai can also be placed on low dishes lacking drainage, called suiban, where the water stays may assist growers decorate their plants to look like nature vistas. Bonsly represents the first type, hence the hole.

The Infamous Hole Card

Even with this reasonable background, yet, Pokémon's creators appears somewhat a little too concerned with Bonsly's hole. Even merch like Bonsly plushes ensure they feature an empty space at the bottom of this plant Pokémon. It makes no difference whether the portrayal of Bonsly in question is weeping or content: It's going to show a hole. The opening is a key element of Bonsly's design. This specific Bonsly card turned into an internet joke among fans both due to its distinctive hole, in addition to its rarity. Until recently, Bonsly #71 was the only version of Bonsly available printed in a game where numerous creatures usually appear in multiple editions. For sixteen years, should you desire this Pokémon card, you were stuck for hole Bonsly.

The Collector's Passion

"When I discovered Bonsly in the list of oddball cards, I knew I discovered my favorite one," she explains over email, adding that she felt astonished that she hadn't encountered it earlier. She is quick to tell you her fondness for this particular card is completely useless, but she didn't care. The liking turned into an all-consuming hobby, as she acquired each available Bonsly card available to her. She quickly got into a routine of going to her local card shop on a weekly basis, and earned the nickname by workers as the Bonsly fan. The shop started setting aside any recently acquired Bonsly #71 cards it received exclusively for Emily. The majority of these are priced at one to three dollars, she mentions, approximating her total expenditure is about $400 for the collection book.

Market Trends and Value

These days, pristine Bonsly #71 cards may reach prices of nearly $15. While that's on the higher end, ordinary Bonsly #71 cards usually go for starting at $4. This rise in cost roughly aligns with when Hopkins started her collection in earnest, though there are likely several factors at play. Even though the card is notorious in the community, her online content regarding the card have also garnered a huge audience. As awareness regarding Bonsly #71 expands further to new fans, it is likely that the value of these cards may continue to shoot up. At the very least, investors say that trading card game values are skyrocketing this year in general.

Her Relentless Pursuit

Hopkins cannot be stopped, yet.

"The amazing thing is a few followers and fans of the YouTube channel have mailed copies of Bonsly to me to add to my collection, and she is preserving these cards protected always," she declares. Instead of being put off, fans are amazed and encouraged by her Bonsly binder.

"For years, I wished to try this," a viewer notes. "Acquire all of a common card|every copy of a common card

Shane Sanders
Shane Sanders

Financial analyst with over a decade of experience in portfolio management and market analysis.