She's Collected Hundreds of Pokemon Drainage Hole Cards, and She's Unstoppable.
Pokémon creators introduced the world to the Pokémon TCG Diamond and Pearl edition in the year 2007, showcasing the Bonsly illustration. Within this depiction, the Gen 4 stone creature is portrayed by artist Harada-san in an unusual position. Here, the predecessor to Sudowoodo appears fallen and weeping. Don't be fooled, yet. As its move the move Fake Tears, the little creature attempts to sway their opponent's emotions with the goal of decreasing their attack. Iconic piece, no? Harp player Emily Hopkins certainly thinks so. And she's got a collection book with 305 Bonsly cards to prove it.
Her Complete Set with Key Pieces
That's not the full extent as well. She obtained a score of holo reverse editions of this particular card, portraying the small Pokémon in reflective foil covering everything except the primary illustration. The most valuable item, yet, turns out to be the PSA 6-rated reverse holo of Bonsly. Certainly, it's not a top-graded Charizard illustration. But do you have a quirky, nearly pristine Bonsly illustration kept in all its splendor? I didn't think so.
How It All Began
Emily dedicated most of the current year gathering every 2007 Bonsly card that she could locate. She first heard of this rare card in recent months, while talking about the most cursed cards in the Pokémon TCG with an employee in a nearby store. Omanyte in tears was in the running, as was the lonely Cubone in an amusement park. Yet it was Crying Bonsly, also known as the seventeenth card, that grabbed Emily's focus.
The Design and Inspiration
The design of Bonsly is based by bonsai plants, which are often grown in containers featuring holes for drainage. These are meant to support healthy development, in fact fans advise one another to drill holes into their pots when none are present. Bonsai can also be placed on shallow pots without holes, known as suiban, where the water stays can help enthusiasts decorate their plants to resemble outdoor scenes. Bonsly fits the initial category, which explains the hole.
A Memorable and Notorious Card
Even with this reasonable background, however, Pokémon's creators appears somewhat a little too concerned about the drainage feature. Even merch including stuffed Bonsly ensure they feature a cavity on the underside of Bonsly. It doesn't matter if the depiction of Bonsly in question is crying or calm: It will display the hole. This hole represents a fundamental aspect in Bonsly's appearance. Bonsly #71 turned into an internet joke among fans thanks to its distinctive hole, in addition to its rarity. Until recently, this Bonsly card was the single type of Bonsly card printed in a game in which most Pokémon usually appear in dozens of different ways. Over a decade and a half, if you wanted a card of Bonsly, you had to settle for hole Bonsly.
The Collector's Passion
"When I saw Bonsly in the list of infamous cards, I realized I located the one for me," Emily states in a message, adding that she was surprised that she hadn't encountered it earlier. She'll be the first to tell you her passion for the Bonsly card is completely useless, yet that didn't stop her. The initial interest became an all-consuming hobby, with Emily purchasing each available Bonsly card she could possibly find. She adopted a routine of stopping by her local card shop on a weekly basis, and earned the nickname by workers as the Bonsly fan. They started reserving all incoming this specific card it received aside just for Hopkins. Most of these cards go for a few dollars, she notes, approximating she has invested about $400 just on the binder alone.
The Financial Side
Currently, mint-condition this Bonsly card may reach prices of $14.99. While that's on the higher end, standard versions usually go for $4 and above. This rise in cost more or less coincides with the time Emily began collecting seriously, though there are likely several factors at play. Although this card is famous in the community, Hopkins's posts about it have received countless views. As news about this card keeps growing to new fans, it's possible that their market price could keep rising. If nothing else, enthusiasts say that trading card game values are climbing this year overall.
Unstoppable Determination
Hopkins cannot be stopped, though.
"The amazing thing remains that a few followers and viewers on social media have shipped their own Bonsly cards her way to add to my collection, and she is preserving them secure indefinitely," Emily states. Rather than recoil in horror, the audience feel admiration and motivation by her collection.
"I've long desired to do this," an observer mentions. "Buy up all of a common card|every copy of a common card