She's Collected Hundreds of Pokémon Hole Cards, and You Can't Stop Her.
The Pokémon Company unveiled collectors to the card series DP expansion during 2007, including a Bonsly trading card. Within this depiction, Gen IV Rock Pokémon is portrayed by illustrator the talented Harada in a somewhat awkward position. On the card, the predecessor to Sudowoodo appears fallen and shedding tears. But don't misunderstand, however. Like its ability the move Fake Tears, Bonsly aims to manipulate the other player's mood to lowering their damage output. Iconic piece, no? Electroacoustic harpist Emily is a firm believer. She owns a binder with 305 cards of Bonsly to prove it.
The Full Collection and Its Highlights
But that isn't everything she has either. She obtained 20 reverse holographic versions featuring Bonsly, showing the tyke with metallic accents covering everything except the main image. The prized possession, though, is the professionally graded PSA 6 reverse holographic of Bonsly. Admittedly, it's far from a mint-condition Charizard illustration. However, can you claim a goofy, almost perfect Bonsly illustration preserved in all its splendor? Probably not.
The Start of the Obsession
Hopkins has spent a large part of this year accumulating each Bonsly card from 2007 she can possibly find. She discovered regarding this discontinued card earlier this year, while talking about the most cursed cards in the compendium with an employee in a nearby store. Crying Omanyte was in the running, as was Cubone by itself at the theme park. But it was Bonsly crying, also known as Bonsly #17, that grabbed her interest.
The Design and Inspiration
The design of Bonsly is based on bonsai trees, which are typically planted in planters with holes at the bottom. These holes are intended to help the plant grow, so much so that growers advise one another to drill holes in their containers if they don't already have one. Bonsai can also be placed in shallow containers lacking drainage, known as suiban, where the water stays could aid growers style their trees to mimic natural landscapes. Bonsly represents the first type, hence the hole.
Why Bonsly Stands Out
Although this makes sense, yet, The company seems almost excessively attentive regarding the hole in Bonsly. Even merchandise like Bonsly plushes make sure to include an empty space at the bottom of the tree-like Pokémon. Regardless if the illustration of this particular Bonsly is crying or at ease: It's going to show the hole. The opening is a fundamental aspect of how Bonsly looks. This specific Bonsly card became a meme within the community thanks to that drainage hole, in addition to its rarity. Up until last year, this Bonsly card was the single type of Bonsly card included in the series where many of its monsters are typically depicted in various forms. For sixteen years, should you desire a card of Bonsly, you had to settle for hole Bonsly.
A Growing Obsession
"When I discovered Bonsly in the list of infamous cards, I realized I had found my new favorite," Hopkins shares in a message, noting that she was surprised to have never seen it before. She admits freely to tell you her fondness for the Bonsly card serves no practical purpose, yet that didn't stop her. The initial interest evolved into a full-blown obsession, as Hopkins bought all copies of this card she could possibly find. She adopted a practice of going to her favorite shop every week, and earned the nickname among the staff as the Bonsly collector. They started reserving all incoming Bonsly #71 cards it received only for her. Typically, these cards are priced at one to three dollars, she mentions, estimating that her total expenditure is approximately four hundred dollars only on the album itself.
Market Trends and Value
Currently, pristine Bonsly #71 cards may reach prices of nearly $15. While that's on the higher end, ordinary Bonsly #71 cards tend to cost four dollars or more. The upward trend corresponds to her starting point collecting seriously, although there are probably several factors at play. Although the card is notorious with enthusiasts, her online content on it have attracted millions of views. As awareness regarding Bonsly #71 keeps growing among more people, it's possible that the value of these cards might increase even more. Regardless, enthusiasts mention how card market costs are skyrocketing currently across the board.
Unstoppable Determination
Hopkins cannot be stopped, yet.
"The wonderful part is that certain fans and viewers of the YouTube channel have sent their own Bonsly cards to me to expand the set, and I am keeping these Bonsly safe forever," Hopkins says. Instead of being put off, fans are impressed and inspired by her collection.
"I've actually always wanted to attempt something similar," one commenter says. "Buy up all of a common card|every copy of a common card
