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The makers of Pokémon unveiled the world to the card series Diamond & Pearl expansion during 2007, featuring the Bonsly card. Within this depiction, Gen IV rock-type appears by designer the talented Harada in an unusual situation. On the card, this pre-evolution appears fallen and weeping. Don't be fooled, though. Similar to its attack Fake Tears, the little creature attempts to sway the foe's feelings to decreasing their offensive power. Iconic piece, isn't it? Harp player Hopkins is a firm believer. And she's got an album with 305 cards of Bonsly to show for it.

The Entire Assortment and Its Highlights

But that isn't the whole collection as well. She obtained a score of reverse holographic versions of the Bonsly card, showing the little guy in reflective foil covering everything except the primary illustration. The crown jewel, yet, is the PSA 6-rated reverse holographic Bonsly card. Sure, it's far from a high-grade original Charizard card. But do you have a quirky, nearly pristine card of Bonsly maintained in all its splendor? Probably not.

Origins of the Collection

Hopkins has spent a large part of this year stockpiling each Bonsly card from 2007 she can possibly find. She first heard regarding this discontinued card earlier this year, during a discussion the most cursed cards among collectors with an employee in a nearby store. Crying Omanyte was in the running, along with the lonely Cubone on a park ride. However, the one that Bonsly crying, aka Bonsly #17, that grabbed Hopkins's attention.

The Concept of Bonsly

Bonsly is obviously influenced from miniature trees, which are typically planted in pots featuring holes for drainage. These are meant to support healthy development, to the extent that enthusiasts suggest to peers to add holes in their containers when none are present. They can also be positioned on shallow pots hole-free, called suiban, and the retained water may assist caretakers decorate their plants to mimic nature vistas. Bonsly represents the first type, hence the hole.

Why Bonsly Stands Out

Despite this logical explanation, however, Pokémon's creators looks a bit a little too concerned regarding the hole in Bonsly. Even merch such as Bonsly plush toys always incorporate an empty space at the bottom of the tree-like Pokémon. Regardless if the depiction of Bonsly in question is weeping or at ease: It's going to show a hole. The hole is a fundamental aspect of how Bonsly looks. Bonsly #71 gained meme status among fans thanks to its distinctive hole, and also because of its rarity. For years before, Bonsly #71 was the single type of Bonsly card printed in a game where numerous creatures are typically depicted in multiple editions. For sixteen years, if you wanted a Bonsly card, you were stuck with the hole version.

The Collector's Passion

"When I discovered Bonsly among the selections of these cursed cards, I realized I had found the one for me," she explains in a message, noting that it was unexpected to have missed it until then. She'll be the first to inform you her love of this particular card has no real value, yet that didn't stop her. The liking became a full-blown obsession, as Hopkins bought every Bonsly #71 card that she could get her hands on. She soon developed a routine of stopping by the nearby card store every week, and earned the nickname among the staff as the Bonsly fan. They started reserving all incoming this specific card they obtained only for her. The majority of these cost between $1 and $3, she notes, calculating that she's spent about $400 just on the binder alone.

The Financial Side

Nowadays, pristine the card might be valued at $14.99. While that's on the higher end, run-of-the-mill Bonsly #71 cards usually go for four dollars or more. The upward trend corresponds to the time Emily began building her set, though there are likely several factors at play. While it's true that this card is famous in the community, Emily's social media updates regarding the card have received countless views. As awareness regarding Bonsly #71 keeps growing to a wider audience, it's possible that their market price may continue to shoot up. If nothing else, enthusiasts say that card market costs are climbing currently across the board.

Unstoppable Determination

Hopkins cannot be stopped, however.

"The wonderful part is that some supporters and viewers on social media have mailed their Bonsly cards her way to expand the set, and she is preserving them secure indefinitely," Emily states. Instead of being put off, the audience are amazed and encouraged 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