🔗 Share this article

The makers of Pokémon released the world to the Pokémon TCG Diamond and Pearl set back in 2007, featuring a Bonsly trading card. In this card, Gen IV rock-type is shown by designer Midori Harada in a, shall we say, compromising pose. In the image, this pre-evolution can be seen knocked over and weeping. Don't be fooled, however. As its move Fake Tears, this Pokémon is trying to sway their opponent's emotions to decreasing their attack. Memorable card, isn't it? Harp player Emily Hopkins is a firm believer. And she's got a binder filled with 305 cards of Bonsly as evidence.

The Full Collection Including Rare Finds

However, that's not everything she has either. She has acquired a score of holo reverse editions of this particular card, which depicts the tyke with shiny foil all over except the main image. The crown jewel, yet, turns out to be the professionally graded PSA 6 reverse holographic of Bonsly. Certainly, it isn't a top-graded Charizard from the base set. However, can you claim a quirky, nearly pristine Bonsly card preserved in all its splendor? I thought as much.

How It All Began

Emily dedicated most of the current year accumulating every 2007 Bonsly card she can possibly find. She first heard regarding this discontinued card earlier this year, while talking about the most infamous cards in the compendium with a staff member in a nearby store. The weeping Omanyte was a contender, along with the lonely Cubone on a park ride. But it was Crying Bonsly, or card number 17, that caught Hopkins's attention.

The Concept of Bonsly

Bonsly draws clear inspiration on bonsai trees, that are commonly placed in containers with holes at the bottom. These are meant to aid growth, in fact growers suggest to peers to create openings into their pots when none are present. They can also be positioned on shallow pots lacking drainage, known as suiban, and the retained water can help caretakers style their trees to resemble outdoor scenes. Bonsly fits the initial category, thus the hole exists.

A Memorable and Notorious Card

Even with this reasonable background, yet, Pokémon's creators appears somewhat excessively attentive regarding the hole in Bonsly. Also, products like Bonsly plushes ensure they feature an empty space below of the tree-like Pokémon. It makes no difference whether the portrayal of the Pokémon appears sad or at ease: It will display a hole. This hole represents a key element of Bonsly's design. Bonsly #71 became a meme in collector circles thanks to that drainage hole, and also because of its rarity. For years before, this Bonsly card remained the sole iteration of Bonsly card included in the series where many of its monsters usually appear in various forms. For 16 years, should you desire this Pokémon card, you were stuck with this specific design.

The Collector's Passion

"Upon noticing Bonsly among the selections of these cursed cards, I knew I discovered my new favorite," Emily states in a message, adding that she felt astonished to have missed it until then. She is quick to state her love of the Bonsly card serves no practical purpose, but it didn't matter. The liking evolved into a major fixation, with Emily purchasing all copies of this card that she could get her hands on. She quickly got into a habit of stopping by the nearby card store regularly, and was dubbed by workers as the Bonsly collector. The shop started putting any new Bonsly #71 cards they obtained exclusively for Emily. The majority of these cost between $1 and $3, she mentions, calculating that she's spent approximately four hundred dollars for the collection book.

Market Trends and Value

These days, excellent the card may reach prices of $14.99. While that's on the higher end, standard versions tend to cost starting at $4. That price increase corresponds to the time Emily began building her set, though there are likely various influences. While it's true that the card is notorious in the community, Hopkins's posts on it have received millions of views. As awareness regarding Bonsly #71 expands further among more people, it's possible that the price of Bonsly #71 cards may continue to shoot up. If nothing else, enthusiasts note that trading card game values are soaring in 2025 in general.

No Signs of Stopping

Emily remains undeterred, though.

"What's incredible is certain fans and enthusiasts from her channel have shipped their Bonsly cards her way to expand the set, and I am keeping these Bonsly safe forever," Emily states. Rather than recoil in horror, fans are amazed and encouraged by her collection.

"I've actually always wanted to try this," a viewer notes. "Purchase all of a common card|every copy of a common card