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Pokémon creators introduced collectors to the trading card game Diamond & Pearl edition in the year 2007, featuring a Bonsly trading card. Within this depiction, Gen IV Rock Pokémon appears by illustrator the talented Harada in a somewhat awkward position. In the image, Bonsly, which evolves into Sudowoodo appears knocked over and crying. But don't misunderstand, yet. As its move the move Fake Tears, this Pokémon attempts to influence the foe's feelings in the hopes of decreasing their offensive power. Iconic piece, no? Harp player Hopkins absolutely agrees. She possesses a collection book containing over 300 Bonsly cards to show for it.

Her Complete Set and Its Highlights

But that isn't everything she has also. She's got twenty holo reverse editions of the Bonsly card, portraying the tyke with metallic accents all over except the central artwork. The most valuable item, though, is the professionally graded PSA 6 reverse holo Bonsly edition. Certainly, it's not a mint-condition Charizard illustration. But do you have an amusing, close to mint Bonsly card kept forever immortalized? I didn't think so.

The Start of the Obsession

Emily dedicated a large part of this year gathering each Bonsly card from 2007 available on the market. She first heard regarding this discontinued card in recent months, during a discussion the most cursed cards in the Pokémon TCG with a staff member in a nearby store. Omanyte in tears was a contender, just like Cubone by itself on a park ride. However, the one that Crying Bonsly, aka Bonsly #17, that grabbed her interest.

Behind Bonsly's Look

Bonsly draws clear inspiration on bonsai trees, that are commonly placed in containers that have drainage holes. These holes are intended to support healthy development, in fact growers suggest to peers to add holes on the bottom when none are present. Additionally, bonsai may sit in shallow containers without holes, known as suiban, and the retained water can help enthusiasts style their trees to look like nature vistas. Bonsly represents the first type, which explains the hole.

Why Bonsly Stands Out

Although this makes sense, however, The Pokémon Company appears somewhat a little too concerned regarding the hole in Bonsly. Even merch including stuffed Bonsly always incorporate a hollow cavern below of this plant Pokémon. It makes no difference if the depiction of the Pokémon is weeping or calm: It's going to show hole. This hole represents an intrinsic part in Bonsly's appearance. Card number 71 gained meme status within the community thanks to the famous hole, in addition to its status. Until recently, Bonsly #71 remained the sole iteration featuring Bonsly printed in a game where many of its monsters are typically depicted in dozens of different ways. For 16 years, were you seeking a Bonsly card, you needed to accept with the hole version.

The Collector's Passion

"Upon noticing Bonsly in the list of infamous cards, I realized I discovered my favorite one," Hopkins shares via email, adding that she was surprised that she hadn't encountered it earlier. She is quick to state her fondness for Bonsly #71 has no real value, but she didn't care. The appreciation evolved into a full-blown obsession, as Hopkins bought every Bonsly #71 card that she could get her hands on. She adopted a practice of going to the nearby card store every week, and was dubbed among the staff as the Bonsly fan. The store began putting any new Bonsly #71 cards that came in aside just for Hopkins. Most of these cards go for a few dollars, she says, approximating her total expenditure is somewhere around $400 only on the album itself.

The Financial Side

Currently, mint-condition this Bonsly card can cost up to $14.99. Although that is expensive, standard copies are often priced at starting at $4. This rise in cost corresponds to when Hopkins started building her set, although there are probably several factors at play. Even though the card is notorious in the community, her online content on it have received countless views. As awareness about this card expands further to a wider audience, it is likely that the value of these cards may continue to shoot up. Regardless, enthusiasts say that card market costs are soaring this year across the board.

Unstoppable Determination

Nothing can halt her, however.

"The amazing thing is certain fans and viewers of the YouTube channel have mailed their own Bonsly cards her way to add to my collection, and they will remain these Bonsly safe forever," Hopkins says. Far from being alarmed, fans are amazed and encouraged by her Bonsly binder.

"I've long desired to attempt something similar," a viewer notes. "Acquire all of a common card|every copy of a common card