She's Collected Hundreds of Pokemon Drainage Hole Cards, and You Can't Stop Her.
The makers of Pokémon introduced collectors to the Pokémon TCG Diamond and Pearl edition in the year 2007, including a Bonsly trading card. Within this depiction, the fourth generation Rock Pokémon is portrayed by artist Midori Harada in an unusual situation. Here, the predecessor to Sudowoodo is depicted fallen and weeping. However, don't mistake this, yet. Similar to its attack Fake Tears, Bonsly aims to manipulate the other player's mood with the goal of decreasing their offensive power. Unforgettable artwork, no? Harp player Emily absolutely agrees. She possesses a collection book filled with 305 Bonsly illustrations to show for it.
The Entire Assortment Including Rare Finds
That's not everything she has either. She obtained 20 reverse foil copies of the Bonsly card, portraying the small Pokémon in reflective foil all over except the primary illustration. The prized possession, yet, proves to be the PSA 6-graded reverse holo Bonsly edition. Admittedly, it's far from a mint-condition Charizard from the base set. Yet, do you possess a goofy, nearly pristine card of Bonsly maintained forever immortalized? I didn't think so.
Origins of the Collection
She invested much of 2025 gathering every 2007 Bonsly card available on the market. She first heard regarding this discontinued card in recent months, during a discussion the most infamous cards in the Pokémon TCG with a worker in a nearby store. Crying Omanyte was in the running, as was Cubone by itself on a park ride. However, the one that Bonsly crying, also known as card number 17, that grabbed Hopkins's attention.
Behind Bonsly's Look
Bonsly is obviously influenced from miniature trees, which are often grown in containers with holes at the bottom. These are meant to support healthy development, to the extent that growers encourage each other to drill holes into their pots if holes are missing. Additionally, bonsai may sit on shallow pots lacking drainage, called suiban, and the collected moisture may assist growers style their trees to look like natural landscapes. Bonsly fits the initial category, thus the hole exists.
The Infamous Hole Card
Even with this reasonable background, yet, Pokémon's creators looks a bit a little too concerned regarding the hole in Bonsly. Even merchandise such as Bonsly plush toys make sure to include a hollow cavern below of this plant Pokémon. Regardless whether the portrayal of the Pokémon is weeping or content: It features hole. The opening is a key element of Bonsly's design. Card number 71 became a meme in collector circles thanks to that drainage hole, as well as its status. Up until last year, Bonsly #71 remained the sole iteration featuring Bonsly included in the series in which most Pokémon are typically depicted in various forms. For sixteen years, if you wanted a Bonsly card, you were stuck with this specific design.
A Growing Obsession
"Upon noticing Bonsly among the selections of oddball cards, I felt I had found the one for me," Hopkins shares in a message, noting that she was surprised to have never seen it before. She'll be the first to tell you her love of Bonsly #71 serves no practical purpose, but it didn't matter. The liking evolved into an all-consuming hobby, as she acquired each available Bonsly card that she could get her hands on. She quickly got into a practice of going to the nearby card store regularly, and was dubbed by workers as "Bonsly Girl". The store began reserving all incoming copies of Bonsly #71 that came in only for her. Typically, these cards are priced at one to three dollars, she says, estimating that her total expenditure is approximately four hundred dollars for the collection book.
Market Trends and Value
These days, pristine this Bonsly card might be valued at nearly $15. Although that is expensive, ordinary Bonsly #71 cards usually go for $4 and above. This rise in cost roughly aligns with when Hopkins started building her set, but it's possible that various influences. Even though this card is famous among collectors, her online content regarding the card have attracted countless views. With information of its existence keeps growing among more people, it is likely that the price of Bonsly #71 cards may continue to shoot up. If nothing else, investors note that trading card game values are soaring currently across the board.
Unstoppable Determination
Nothing can halt her, yet.
"The amazing thing is some supporters and fans of the YouTube channel have shipped copies of Bonsly to me to add to my collection, and they will remain them secure indefinitely," Emily states. Far from being alarmed, viewers are amazed and encouraged by this project.
"I've long desired to do this," an observer mentions. "Acquire all of a common card|every copy of a common card
