She's Collected Numerous of Pokémon Drainage Hole Cards, and You Can't Stop Her.
Pokémon creators unveiled the world to the Pokémon TCG Diamond and Pearl edition during 2007, featuring the Bonsly illustration. In this card, Gen IV stone creature is shown by designer Harada-san in a somewhat awkward position. In the image, the predecessor to Sudowoodo can be seen fallen and weeping. However, don't mistake this, however. Similar to its attack the move Fake Tears, the little creature is trying to sway their opponent's emotions in the hopes of reducing their damage output. Iconic piece, right? Electroacoustic harpist Emily certainly thinks so. And she's got a binder containing over 300 cards of Bonsly to show for it.
Her Complete Set with Key Pieces
That's not the whole collection also. She obtained 20 reverse holographic versions of this particular card, portraying the little guy in reflective foil everywhere but the main image. The most valuable item, yet, turns out to be the PSA 6-graded holo reverse Bonsly card. Certainly, it's far from a mint-condition original Charizard card. But do you have a quirky, close to mint Bonsly illustration preserved in its eternal glory? Probably not.
Origins of the Collection
Hopkins has spent most of the current year accumulating every 2007 Bonsly card available on the market. She first heard about the out-of-print card in recent months, while debating the most cursed cards among collectors with a worker in a nearby store. Omanyte in tears was considered, as was Cubone by itself in an amusement park. Yet it was Crying Bonsly, or Bonsly #17, which captured Emily's focus.
The Design and Inspiration
Bonsly draws clear inspiration by bonsai plants, which are often grown in pots featuring holes for drainage. These holes are intended to support healthy development, so much so that enthusiasts advise one another to add holes on the bottom when none are present. They can also be positioned on shallow pots lacking drainage, referred to as suiban, and the retained water may assist growers style their trees to resemble nature vistas. Bonsly represents the first type, hence the hole.
A Memorable and Notorious Card
Despite this logical explanation, yet, The company looks a bit overly focused about the drainage feature. Even merchandise like Bonsly plushes always incorporate an empty space at the bottom of this plant Pokémon. It makes no difference whether the portrayal of this particular Bonsly is weeping or content: It features a hole. The hole is an intrinsic part of how Bonsly looks. Card number 71 became a meme within the community thanks to its distinctive hole, in addition to its unique position. For years before, this Bonsly card was the single type of Bonsly card included in the series where numerous creatures are typically depicted in multiple editions. Over a decade and a half, should you desire a Bonsly card, you had to settle with this specific design.
The Collector's Passion
"When I saw Bonsly among the selections of infamous cards, I felt I had found the one for me," Hopkins shares in a message, noting that she was surprised to have missed it until then. She admits freely to state her passion for Bonsly #71 serves no practical purpose, but it didn't matter. The liking turned into an all-consuming hobby, as Hopkins bought each available Bonsly card that she could get her hands on. She adopted a practice of stopping by her local card shop on a weekly basis, and was dubbed among the staff as "Bonsly Girl". The shop started putting any new Bonsly #71 cards that came in exclusively for Emily. Typically, these cards go for a few dollars, she says, estimating that she has invested somewhere around $400 only on the album itself.
The Financial Side
Nowadays, excellent this Bonsly card might be valued at $14.99. Although that is expensive, ordinary copies are often priced at $4 and above. This rise in cost more or less coincides with her starting point collecting seriously, although there are probably several factors at play. While it's true that the card is notorious with enthusiasts, Emily's social media updates about it have attracted countless views. As news regarding Bonsly #71 keeps growing among more people, it's possible that their market price may continue to shoot up. At the very least, collectors note that trading card game values are soaring this year overall.
Her Relentless Pursuit
Emily remains undeterred, yet.
"The wonderful part remains that some supporters and enthusiasts on social media have shipped their own Bonsly cards to me to add to my collection, and they will remain these Bonsly safe forever," Hopkins says. Far from being alarmed, viewers feel admiration and motivation by her collection.
"I've long desired to attempt something similar," an observer mentions. "Purchase all of a common card|every copy of a common card
