She Has Amassed Hundreds of Pokémon Drainage Hole Cards, and She's Unstoppable.

The Pokémon Company released collectors to the Pokémon TCG DP edition back in 2007, showcasing a Bonsly trading card. Within this depiction, the Gen 4 rock-type is portrayed by illustrator Harada-san in an unusual situation. On the card, the predecessor to Sudowoodo is depicted knocked over and shedding tears. However, don't mistake this, yet. Similar to its attack Fake Tears suggests, the little creature aims to sway their opponent's emotions in the hopes of lowering their offensive power. Unforgettable artwork, isn't it? Electroacoustic harpist Emily Hopkins certainly thinks so. She owns an album containing over 300 cards of Bonsly to prove it.

Her Complete Set Including Rare Finds

But that isn't the whole collection either. She's got 20 reverse foil copies featuring Bonsly, portraying the small Pokémon in reflective foil everywhere but the central artwork. The crown jewel, yet, proves to be the PSA 6-graded reverse holo of Bonsly. Certainly, it's not a high-grade Charizard from the base set. However, can you claim a quirky, close to mint card of Bonsly maintained in all its splendor? I thought as much.

Origins of the Collection

Emily dedicated much of 2025 gathering all available Bonsly cards from that year that she could locate. She first heard about the out-of-print card earlier this year, while debating the most cursed cards in the Pokémon TCG with a worker in a nearby store. Crying Omanyte was considered, along with the lonely Cubone at the theme park. However, the one that Bonsly crying, also known as Bonsly #17, that grabbed Emily's focus.

Behind Bonsly's Look

Bonsly is obviously influenced on bonsai trees, which are often grown in planters featuring holes for drainage. These holes are intended to help the plant grow, in fact enthusiasts suggest to peers to create openings in their containers when none are present. They can also be positioned on low dishes hole-free, referred to as suiban, where the water stays may assist caretakers decorate their plants to look like nature vistas. Bonsly fits the initial category, thus the hole exists.

The Infamous Hole Card

Despite this logical explanation, yet, Pokémon's creators appears somewhat a little too concerned with Bonsly's hole. Even merch including stuffed Bonsly always incorporate a hollow cavern below of this plant Pokémon. It makes no difference if the depiction of this particular Bonsly is crying or content: It features hole. The opening is a fundamental aspect of Bonsly's design. This specific Bonsly card became a meme among fans both due to the famous hole, in addition to its unique position. For years before, this Bonsly card remained the sole iteration of Bonsly card included in the series where numerous creatures are commonly shown in multiple editions. Over a decade and a half, if you wanted this Pokémon card, you had to settle with this specific design.

A Growing Obsession

"Upon noticing this card on the list of infamous cards, I knew I located my new favorite," she explains over email, noting that she was surprised to have never seen it before. She is quick to inform you her fondness for Bonsly #71 is completely useless, but she didn't care. The initial interest evolved into an all-consuming hobby, as she acquired each available Bonsly card she could possibly find. She quickly got into a routine of stopping by her local card shop on a weekly basis, and was dubbed to the employees as the Bonsly fan. The shop started reserving all incoming Bonsly #71 cards they obtained only for her. Most of these cards go for a few dollars, she says, approximating she's spent approximately four hundred dollars for the collection book.

Market Trends and Value

Nowadays, mint-condition the card may reach prices of nearly $15. Although that is expensive, run-of-the-mill versions usually go for four dollars or more. That price increase corresponds to the time Emily began collecting seriously, though there are likely multiple reasons. Even though this card is famous among collectors, her online content regarding the card have attracted countless views. As awareness of its existence keeps growing to a wider audience, there's a chance the value of these cards may continue to shoot up. Regardless, enthusiasts mention how card market costs are skyrocketing currently in general.

Her Relentless Pursuit

Nothing can halt her, yet.

"What's incredible remains that some supporters and fans from her channel have shipped their Bonsly cards to Emily to expand the set, and she is preserving these cards protected always," Hopkins says. Rather than recoil in horror, fans feel admiration and motivation by her Bonsly binder.

"For years, I wished to attempt something similar," one commenter says. "Acquire all of a common card|every copy of a common card