She's Collected Hundreds of Pokémon Hole Cards, and She's Unstoppable.
The Pokémon Company unveiled fans to the trading card game Diamond & Pearl set during 2007, including the Bonsly illustration. Within this depiction, the Gen 4 Rock Pokémon is portrayed by designer Midori Harada in a somewhat awkward pose. Here, Bonsly, which evolves into Sudowoodo is depicted fallen and weeping. However, don't mistake this, though. As its move the move Fake Tears, the little creature aims to manipulate the foe's feelings to lowering their attack. Iconic piece, isn't it? Electroacoustic harpist Hopkins certainly thinks so. And she's got a collection book with 305 cards of Bonsly as evidence.
The Full Collection Including Rare Finds
But that isn't everything she has as well. She obtained 20 holo reverse versions of this particular card, which depicts the tyke in reflective foil all over except the central artwork. The most valuable item, however, proves to be the professionally graded PSA 6 holo reverse of Bonsly. Admittedly, it isn't a high-grade original Charizard card. Yet, do you possess a goofy, close to mint Bonsly illustration maintained forever immortalized? I didn't think so.
The Start of the Obsession
She invested a large part of this year accumulating each Bonsly card from 2007 available on the market. She initially learned of this rare card earlier this year, during a discussion the most cursed cards among collectors with a worker in a nearby store. Crying Omanyte was in the running, just like the lonely Cubone on a park ride. But it was Crying Bonsly, also known as Bonsly #17, that grabbed her interest.
The Concept of Bonsly
Bonsly is obviously influenced from miniature trees, that are commonly placed in pots featuring holes for drainage. These are meant to help the plant grow, so much so that fans advise one another to add holes on the bottom if they don't already have one. Additionally, bonsai may sit on low dishes lacking drainage, known as suiban, and the collected moisture can help growers decorate their plants to mimic nature vistas. Bonsly fits the initial category, which explains the hole.
Why Bonsly Stands Out
Despite this logical explanation, however, The company seems almost excessively attentive with Bonsly's hole. Even merch like Bonsly plushes ensure they feature a hollow cavern on the underside of the tree-like Pokémon. Regardless if the illustration of the Pokémon is weeping or at ease: It features hole. The hole is an intrinsic part in Bonsly's appearance. Bonsly #71 turned into an internet joke within the community both due to that drainage hole, in addition to its unique position. Until recently, Bonsly #71 remained the sole iteration of Bonsly card released in the TCG in which most Pokémon are typically depicted in dozens of different ways. Over a decade and a half, should you desire this Pokémon card, you needed to accept with the hole version.
The Collector's Passion
"When I saw Bonsly in the list of infamous cards, I realized I had found my new favorite," she explains over email, adding that it was unexpected that she hadn't encountered it earlier. She'll be the first to state her passion for this particular card serves no practical purpose, but she didn't care. The liking became an all-consuming hobby, with Emily purchasing every Bonsly #71 card available to her. She soon developed a practice of going to her favorite shop every week, and was dubbed to the employees as the Bonsly fan. They started reserving all incoming Bonsly #71 cards it received only for her. The majority of these are priced at one to three dollars, she notes, estimating that she has invested approximately four hundred dollars just on the binder alone.
Rising Prices
Currently, excellent Bonsly #71 cards can cost up to around fifteen dollars. While that is a premium price, standard Bonsly #71 cards tend to cost starting at $4. That price increase more or less coincides with the time Emily began collecting seriously, though there are likely several factors at play. While it's true that this card is famous in the community, her online content about it have received countless views. With information regarding Bonsly #71 expands further to new fans, there's a chance the price of Bonsly #71 cards might increase even more. Regardless, enthusiasts say that card market costs are skyrocketing currently in general.
Unstoppable Determination
Nothing can halt her, yet.
"What's incredible is that certain fans and fans on social media have mailed copies of Bonsly to me to add to my collection, and I am keeping these cards protected always," Hopkins says. Far from being alarmed, the audience are amazed and encouraged by this project.
"I've actually always wanted to try this," an observer mentions. "Buy up all of a common card|every copy of a common card