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Pokémon creators unveiled fans to the card series Diamond & Pearl expansion in the year 2007, showcasing the Bonsly illustration. On this artwork, the Gen 4 Rock Pokémon is shown by designer Harada-san in an unusual situation. Here, the predecessor to Sudowoodo appears toppled and shedding tears. But don't misunderstand, yet. Like its ability Fake Tears, the little creature attempts to sway the other player's mood with the goal of decreasing their offensive power. Unforgettable artwork, no? Electroacoustic harpist Emily absolutely agrees. She possesses a collection book containing over 300 Bonsly cards to prove it.

The Entire Assortment Including Rare Finds

That's not the full extent either. She has acquired 20 reverse foil copies of the Bonsly card, showing the tyke with shiny foil everywhere but the primary illustration. The most valuable item, yet, turns out to be the PSA 6-graded reverse holo of Bonsly. Sure, it's far from a mint-condition Charizard from the base set. But do you have an amusing, almost perfect card of Bonsly kept forever immortalized? I didn't think so.

The Start of the Obsession

Emily dedicated most of the current year accumulating all available Bonsly cards from that year available on the market. She discovered about the out-of-print card at the start of the year, while talking about the most cursed cards among collectors with a staff member in a nearby store. The weeping Omanyte was a contender, as was the forever alone Cubone on a park ride. But it was Crying Bonsly, also known as card number 17, which captured Hopkins's attention.

The Design and Inspiration

Bonsly draws clear inspiration on bonsai trees, that are commonly placed in planters that have drainage holes. 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. Additionally, bonsai may sit on low dishes hole-free, referred to as suiban, where the water stays can help enthusiasts arrange their bonsai to look like outdoor scenes. Bonsly is the former, thus the hole exists.

The Infamous Hole Card

Although this makes sense, though, Pokémon's creators looks a bit a little too concerned about the drainage feature. Also, products like Bonsly plushes ensure they feature an empty space at the bottom of Bonsly. Regardless whether the portrayal of Bonsly in question is crying or content: It's going to show hole. The opening is a key element of Bonsly's design. This specific Bonsly card turned into an internet joke among fans thanks to the famous hole, as well as its rarity. Until recently, the card was the only version of Bonsly card released in the TCG where numerous creatures are commonly shown in various forms. Over a decade and a half, if you wanted this Pokémon card, you needed to accept with this specific design.

The Collector's Passion

"When I discovered Bonsly in the list of infamous cards, I realized I located the one for me," Hopkins shares in a message, mentioning how it was unexpected to have never seen it before. She is quick to inform you her passion for this particular card has no real value, but she didn't care. The initial interest became a major fixation, with Emily purchasing each available Bonsly card that she could get her hands on. She adopted a routine of visiting her local card shop on a weekly basis, and earned the nickname to the employees as the Bonsly collector. The store began putting any new copies of Bonsly #71 they obtained exclusively for Emily. Typically, these cards go for a few dollars, she notes, approximating her total expenditure is approximately four hundred dollars only on the album itself.

Market Trends and Value

Currently, excellent this Bonsly card may reach prices of $14.99. Although that is expensive, run-of-the-mill copies tend to cost $4 and above. This rise in cost more or less coincides with her starting point her collection in earnest, although there are probably various influences. While it's true that the card is notorious in the community, Hopkins's posts about it have received countless views. With information regarding Bonsly #71 expands further to new fans, it's possible that the price of Bonsly #71 cards could keep rising. At the very least, collectors mention how trading card game values are soaring this year across the board.

No Signs of Stopping

Nothing can halt her, though.

"The wonderful part remains that certain fans and fans on social media have mailed their own Bonsly cards to me to expand the set, and they will remain them secure indefinitely," Hopkins says. Rather than recoil in horror, viewers feel admiration and motivation by her Bonsly binder.

"I've long desired to do this," one commenter says. "Acquire all of a common card|every copy of a common card