She Has Amassed Hundreds of Pokémon Drainage Hole Cards, and She's Unstoppable.
Pokémon creators introduced collectors to the Pokémon TCG Diamond & Pearl expansion back in 2007, including the Bonsly card. Within this depiction, the fourth generation Rock Pokémon is portrayed by illustrator the talented Harada in an unusual situation. On the card, this pre-evolution is depicted fallen and crying. However, don't mistake this, yet. As its move Fake Tears, this Pokémon aims to influence the other player's mood with the goal of reducing their damage output. Unforgettable artwork, isn't it? Electroacoustic harpist Emily Hopkins is a firm believer. And she's got a binder filled with 305 Bonsly illustrations to show for it.
The Entire Assortment Including Rare Finds
But that isn't the full extent either. She has acquired a score of reverse foil editions of this particular card, portraying the small Pokémon in reflective foil all over except the main image. The prized possession, yet, is the PSA 6-rated reverse holographic Bonsly edition. Admittedly, it's far from a top-graded Charizard from the base set. However, can you claim an amusing, close to mint Bonsly card kept in all its splendor? Probably not.
How It All Began
Hopkins has spent much of 2025 gathering each Bonsly card from 2007 that she could locate. She discovered of this rare card at the start of the year, while talking about the notoriously odd cards in the compendium with an employee at a local shop. Omanyte in tears was considered, as was Cubone by itself on a park ride. However, the one that The sobbing Bonsly, also known as card number 17, that grabbed Hopkins's attention.
The Design and Inspiration
Bonsly draws clear inspiration by bonsai plants, that are commonly placed in pots that have drainage holes. They are designed to support healthy development, so much so that enthusiasts encourage each other to add holes on the bottom if holes are missing. Bonsai can also be placed in shallow containers without holes, known as suiban, and the collected moisture could aid caretakers style their trees to resemble nature vistas. Bonsly is the former, which explains the hole.
A Memorable and Notorious Card
Despite this logical explanation, though, The company looks a bit excessively attentive regarding the hole in Bonsly. Even merch like Bonsly plushes ensure they feature an empty space at the bottom of Bonsly. Regardless if the depiction of Bonsly in question appears sad or at ease: It features hole. The hole is a key element in Bonsly's appearance. This specific Bonsly card gained meme status within the community thanks to that drainage hole, as well as its status. Up until last year, Bonsly #71 was the only version featuring Bonsly released in the TCG in which most Pokémon are typically depicted in various forms. For 16 years, should you desire this Pokémon card, you were stuck for hole Bonsly.
The Collector's Passion
"Upon noticing this card on the list of these cursed cards, I knew I located my new favorite," Emily states over email, mentioning how she felt astonished to have missed it until then. She is quick to state her love of Bonsly #71 is completely useless, but it didn't matter. The liking evolved into an all-consuming hobby, with Emily purchasing every Bonsly #71 card she could possibly find. She quickly got into a routine of stopping by her favorite shop regularly, and earned the nickname by workers as the Bonsly collector. They started reserving all incoming copies of Bonsly #71 that came in aside just for Hopkins. The majority of these are priced at one to three dollars, she notes, estimating that she has invested about $400 for the collection book.
Market Trends and Value
Nowadays, pristine this Bonsly card might be valued at $14.99. While that is a premium price, ordinary copies tend to cost starting at $4. That price increase more or less coincides with her starting point collecting seriously, but it's possible that several factors at play. While it's true that the card is notorious among collectors, Hopkins's posts about it have received millions of views. With information about this card keeps growing among more people, it is likely that the value of these cards could keep rising. Regardless, investors say that card market costs are soaring currently in general.
Unstoppable Determination
Nothing can halt her, however.
"What's incredible is a few followers and viewers of the YouTube channel have mailed their Bonsly cards to me for her album, and she is preserving these cards protected always," Hopkins says. Far from being alarmed, viewers feel admiration and motivation by this project.
"I've actually always wanted to do this," a viewer notes. "Acquire all of a common card|every copy of a common card
