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

The Pokémon Company released collectors to the trading card game Diamond & Pearl edition in the year 2007, featuring a Bonsly trading card. In this card, the fourth generation rock-type is portrayed by designer the talented Harada in a, shall we say, compromising position. Here, Bonsly, which evolves into Sudowoodo appears knocked over and shedding tears. But don't misunderstand, however. Similar to its attack Fake Tears, the little creature is trying to sway the other player's mood to decreasing their damage output. Memorable card, right? Harp player Emily certainly thinks so. She possesses an album with 305 cards of Bonsly to prove it.

Her Complete Set and Its Highlights

But that isn't the full extent either. She's got twenty reverse holographic editions of this particular card, which depicts the small Pokémon with metallic accents everywhere but the central artwork. The most valuable item, though, proves to be the professionally graded PSA 6 reverse holographic Bonsly card. Sure, it's not a mint-condition original Charizard card. But do you have a goofy, close to mint Bonsly card kept in its eternal glory? I didn't think so.

The Start of the Obsession

She invested most of the current year gathering all available Bonsly cards from that year available on the market. She initially learned regarding this discontinued card at the start of the year, while debating the most cursed cards among collectors with a worker in a nearby store. Omanyte in tears was considered, as was the lonely Cubone in an amusement park. But it was Bonsly crying, also known as card number 17, which captured Emily's focus.

Behind Bonsly's Look

The design of Bonsly is based on bonsai trees, which are typically planted in pots that have drainage holes. They are designed to support healthy development, to the extent that fans encourage each other to add holes in their containers if holes are missing. They can also be positioned on shallow pots lacking drainage, known as suiban, and the collected moisture could aid enthusiasts style their trees to look like nature vistas. Bonsly fits the initial category, hence the hole.

A Memorable and Notorious Card

Despite this logical explanation, however, Pokémon's creators appears somewhat excessively attentive regarding the hole in Bonsly. Even merch including stuffed Bonsly ensure they feature an empty space below of Bonsly. It makes no difference if the illustration of the Pokémon is weeping or content: It's going to show a hole. The hole is a fundamental aspect of how Bonsly looks. Card number 71 gained meme status within the community thanks to that drainage hole, and also because of its status. Until recently, Bonsly #71 was the single type of Bonsly available included in the series where numerous creatures are typically depicted in dozens of different ways. Over a decade and a half, were you seeking this Pokémon card, you had to settle for hole Bonsly.

Emily's Dedication

"Upon noticing Bonsly among the selections of these cursed cards, I realized I located the one for me," Emily states in a message, adding that she felt astonished to have never seen it before. She admits freely to state her fondness for the Bonsly card is completely useless, but it didn't matter. The appreciation turned into a major fixation, with Emily purchasing all copies of this card available to her. She adopted a routine of stopping by her local card shop on a weekly basis, and earned the nickname among the staff as "Bonsly Girl". They started reserving all incoming copies of Bonsly #71 that came in exclusively for Emily. Typically, these cards go for a few dollars, she says, estimating that she has invested approximately four hundred dollars just on the binder alone.

Market Trends and Value

Currently, excellent Bonsly #71 cards might be valued at nearly $15. While that is a premium price, standard versions are often priced at $4 and above. This rise in cost roughly aligns with her starting point her collection in earnest, though there are likely various influences. Even though the card is notorious among collectors, Emily's social media updates about it have also garnered countless views. As awareness about this card continues to spread to a wider audience, there's a chance the price of Bonsly #71 cards could keep rising. At the very least, investors note that card market costs are climbing in 2025 overall.

Her Relentless Pursuit

Hopkins cannot be stopped, though.

"The wonderful part remains that some supporters and viewers from her channel have mailed their Bonsly cards to me to add to my collection, and I am keeping them secure indefinitely," she declares. Far from being alarmed, fans feel admiration and motivation by her collection.

"I've actually always wanted to try this," an observer mentions. "Acquire all of a common card|every copy of a common card

Melissa Morales
Melissa Morales

A passionate historian and travel writer specializing in Italian cultural heritage and archaeology.