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The makers of Pokémon introduced the world to the card series Diamond & Pearl edition in the year 2007, including the Bonsly card. Within this depiction, Gen IV rock-type is portrayed by artist Harada-san in an unusual pose. Here, the predecessor to Sudowoodo is depicted knocked over and shedding tears. Don't be fooled, yet. As its move the move Fake Tears, this Pokémon is trying to influence the foe's feelings in the hopes of decreasing their attack. Unforgettable artwork, right? Harp player Emily absolutely agrees. And she's got a collection book with 305 Bonsly illustrations as evidence.

Her Complete Set and Its Highlights

But that isn't the full extent either. She has acquired a score of reverse holographic editions of this particular card, showing the small Pokémon with metallic accents covering everything except the main image. The prized possession, though, proves to be the PSA 6-rated reverse holographic Bonsly edition. Admittedly, it's far from a high-grade Charizard from the base set. Yet, do you possess an amusing, almost perfect Bonsly illustration preserved in all its splendor? I didn't think so.

The Start of the Obsession

Emily dedicated much of 2025 accumulating all available Bonsly cards from that year available on the market. She discovered of this rare card earlier this year, during a discussion the notoriously odd cards in the compendium with an employee at her favorite card shop. The weeping Omanyte was in the running, just like the lonely Cubone at the theme park. Yet it was Crying Bonsly, also known as the seventeenth card, that grabbed her interest.

Behind Bonsly's Look

Bonsly draws clear inspiration by bonsai plants, that are commonly placed in planters featuring holes for drainage. These holes are intended to aid growth, to the extent that growers suggest to peers to add holes in their containers if holes are missing. They can also be positioned on shallow pots lacking drainage, called suiban, and the retained water could aid enthusiasts arrange their bonsai to look like nature vistas. Bonsly represents the first type, thus the hole exists.

A Memorable and Notorious Card

Even with this reasonable background, however, The Pokémon Company seems almost a little too concerned with Bonsly's hole. Even merch including stuffed Bonsly make sure to include a hollow cavern below of this plant Pokémon. It makes no difference whether the portrayal of the Pokémon is crying or calm: It's going to show hole. The opening is a key element of how Bonsly looks. Card number 71 became a meme in collector circles because of the famous hole, as well as its status. Up until last year, Bonsly #71 was the single type featuring Bonsly released in the TCG where many of its monsters are commonly shown in multiple editions. For 16 years, should you desire a Bonsly card, you needed to accept with the hole version.

The Collector's Passion

"Upon noticing this card on the list of these cursed cards, I knew I located my favorite one," Hopkins shares over email, noting that she felt astonished to have missed it until then. She is quick to state her passion for the Bonsly card is completely useless, yet that didn't stop her. The initial interest evolved into an all-consuming hobby, as Hopkins bought every Bonsly #71 card available to her. She quickly got into a practice of visiting her favorite shop regularly, and was dubbed among the staff as "Bonsly Girl". The store began reserving all incoming this specific card they obtained exclusively for Emily. Typically, these cards go for a few dollars, she notes, approximating she's spent somewhere around $400 just on the binder alone.

Market Trends and Value

Nowadays, pristine this Bonsly card might be valued at around fifteen dollars. While that's on the higher end, run-of-the-mill versions usually go for starting at $4. This rise in cost more or less coincides with the time Emily began collecting seriously, though there are likely various influences. While it's true that the card is notorious in the community, Emily's social media updates on it have attracted millions of views. As news about this card keeps growing to new fans, there's a chance their market price could keep rising. If nothing else, investors mention how TCG prices are climbing currently overall.

Unstoppable Determination

Emily remains undeterred, though.

"The wonderful part is a few followers and enthusiasts from her channel have shipped their own Bonsly cards her way to add to my collection, and she is preserving 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," a viewer notes. "Buy up all of a common card|every copy of a common card