In 2007, the Pokémon Trading Card Game’s Diamond & Pearl expansion introduced the world to a depiction of Bonsly that many fans still find difficult to forget. Rendered by illustrator Midori Harada, this Gen 4 Rock-type is captured in a notably vulnerable state—toppled over and mid-sob. While the card’s “Fake Tears” move implies the Pokémon is merely feigning distress to lower its opponent’s guard, the visual remains legendary. Among the community, few appreciate this oddity more than electroacoustic harpist Emily Hopkins, who has amassed a staggering hoard of 305 Bonsly cards to prove her dedication.
This massive collection is more than just a stack of common cards. Hopkins has also tracked down 20 reverse holographic variants, where the foil shimmer covers everything but the central illustration. The “crown jewel” of her assembly is a reverse holo graded a PSA 6. It might not carry the prestige of a first-edition Charizard, but there is a certain triumph in owning a professionally preserved, nearly flawless specimen of this bizarrely iconic card.
Throughout 2025, Hopkins has been on a quest to acquire every 2007 Bonsly card in existence. Her obsession began earlier this year following a debate with a local card shop employee regarding the most “cursed” artwork in the Pokémon compendium. While the weeping Omanyte and the isolated Cubone at the amusement park were strong contenders, it was “Crying Bonsly” (officially Bonsly #71) that truly resonated with her.
The card’s notoriety stems from a specific design detail: a drainage hole visible on the Pokémon’s underside. This is a nod to the bonsai trees that inspire the character, as traditional bonsai pots require holes to prevent root rot. While botanical enthusiasts might view this as a mark of health, within the context of the TCG, the angle of the artwork makes it look like a “butt hole.” The Pokémon Company has been surprisingly consistent with this anatomical choice; Bonsly plushies and other merchandise almost always feature this hollow cavern at the base. For 16 years, Bonsly #71 was the only card representation of the character, meaning anyone who wanted a Bonsly for their deck was forced to use the “hole” version.
“When I saw Bonsly on the list of cursed cards, I knew I had found my favorite,” Hopkins told Polygon via email. Despite admitting that her collection is essentially “useless,” her passion quickly evolved into a full-scale hunt. Her weekly visits to the local card shop earned her the nickname “Bonsly Girl,” with staff members eventually setting aside any new #71 arrivals specifically for her. She estimates she has invested roughly $400 into the binder, with individual cards originally costing between $1 and $3.
@emilyharpist B Hole Bonsly collection ♬ original sound – Emily Hopkins
However, the market is shifting. Today, high-quality copies of Bonsly #71 can fetch up to $14.99, while even average versions have climbed toward the $4 mark. This price surge aligns closely with the timeline of Hopkins’ public collection efforts. Given that her videos have reached millions of viewers, her niche hobby may be inadvertently driving up the value of this “cursed” common card, though experts note that TCG prices across the board have been climbing throughout 2025.
Hopkins shows no signs of slowing down. “The amazing thing is that supporters and fans have been mailing their own Bonsly cards to add to the collection,” she says, noting that she plans to keep them safe indefinitely. Rather than being put off by the strange artwork, her audience seems inspired by the sheer absurdity of the project.
As one commenter observed, there is a certain thrill in “buying up every copy of a common card until it becomes incredibly rare.” Of course, there is one minor drawback to being the world’s premier Bonsly hoarder: the nicknames. As another viewer jokingly put it, she is now destined to be known as “the butthole Bonsly lady.”
Source: Polygon
