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The Pokémon Company released collectors to the card series Diamond & Pearl expansion in the year 2007, featuring a Bonsly trading card. In this card, the fourth generation Rock Pokémon is portrayed by artist Harada-san in an unusual situation. In the image, the predecessor to Sudowoodo can be seen fallen and weeping. However, don't mistake this, however. Similar to its attack Fake Tears suggests, this Pokémon attempts to influence their opponent's emotions to reducing their offensive power. Memorable card, isn't it? Harp player Hopkins certainly thinks so. She owns a binder containing over 300 Bonsly cards to show for it.

Her Complete Set Including Rare Finds

But that isn't the full extent as well. She has acquired a score of holo reverse editions of this particular card, portraying the little guy with shiny foil all over except the central artwork. The prized possession, yet, proves to be the PSA 6-graded holo reverse Bonsly card. Certainly, it's not a top-graded Charizard illustration. However, can you claim a goofy, close to mint Bonsly card maintained in its eternal glory? Probably not.

Origins of the Collection

She invested most of the current year stockpiling each Bonsly card from 2007 that she could locate. 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 at her favorite card shop. The weeping Omanyte was in the running, along with the forever alone Cubone on a park ride. However, the one that Crying Bonsly, or the seventeenth card, that grabbed her interest.

Behind Bonsly's Look

The design of Bonsly is based on bonsai trees, that are commonly placed in pots featuring holes for drainage. These holes are intended to help the plant grow, in fact fans encourage each other to add holes on the bottom if they don't already have one. Additionally, bonsai may sit on low dishes hole-free, referred to as suiban, and the retained water may assist enthusiasts style their trees to resemble natural landscapes. Bonsly is the former, which explains the hole.

Why Bonsly Stands Out

Despite this logical explanation, however, The company appears somewhat excessively attentive with Bonsly's hole. Even merch like Bonsly plushes ensure they feature an empty space on the underside of the tree-like Pokémon. Regardless whether the portrayal of this particular Bonsly is weeping or at ease: It features hole. This hole represents a fundamental aspect of Bonsly's design. Card number 71 became a meme in collector circles because of its distinctive hole, in addition to its status. Up until last year, this Bonsly card remained the sole iteration of Bonsly available released in the TCG where many of its monsters are typically depicted in multiple editions. For 16 years, should you desire a card of Bonsly, you needed to accept with the hole version.

Emily's Dedication

"When I saw this card on the list of oddball cards, I realized I located my favorite one," she explains in a message, noting that she felt astonished to have never seen it before. She'll be the first to tell you her love of Bonsly #71 serves no practical purpose, but she didn't care. The liking turned into an all-consuming hobby, as Hopkins bought all copies of this card available to her. She quickly got into a routine of visiting her local card shop on a weekly basis, and earned the nickname among the staff as the Bonsly fan. They started reserving all incoming Bonsly #71 cards it received only for her. The majority of these go for a few dollars, she notes, approximating she's spent somewhere around $400 only on the album itself.

Rising Prices

Currently, mint-condition this Bonsly card might be valued at nearly $15. Although that is expensive, run-of-the-mill Bonsly #71 cards tend to cost four dollars or more. This rise in cost roughly aligns with when Hopkins started building her set, though there are likely several factors at play. Even though Bonsly #71 is well-known among collectors, Hopkins's posts regarding the card have attracted a huge audience. With information about this card expands further to new fans, there's a chance the price of Bonsly #71 cards may continue to shoot up. Regardless, enthusiasts say that TCG prices are climbing currently in general.

Unstoppable Determination

Nothing can halt her, though.

"What's incredible is certain fans and enthusiasts from her channel have shipped copies of Bonsly her way for her album, and they will remain them secure indefinitely," Hopkins says. Far from being alarmed, the audience feel admiration and motivation by her collection.

"I've actually always wanted to do this," one commenter says. "Purchase all of a common card|every copy of a common card