Bir Pokémon koleksiyonundaki boşluğu koleksiyon tutkusuna dönüştüren Bonsly kartı

The Pokémon hole at the center of a 2007 trading card has become the unlikely focus of a fast-growing collector movement, driven by content creator Emily Hopkins and her fixation on Bonsly #71. The card, released as part of the Pokémon Trading Card Game: Diamond & Pearl expansion, depicts the Gen 4 rock-type Pokémon toppled over, crying, and visibly showing a hollow opening on its underside. The image, illustrated by Midori Harada, has lingered in the community’s memory for years, but only recently turned into a viral collecting phenomenon.

Hopkins’ collection now includes 305 copies of the same Bonsly card, all pulled from the 2007 print run. The binder also holds 20 reverse holographic versions and a PSA 6-graded reverse holo, which she considers the centerpiece. The card’s notoriety stems from the visible Pokémon hole, a design detail rooted in Bonsly’s inspiration from bonsai plants, which are grown in pots with drainage holes. Despite the botanical logic, the visual struck many players as awkward when the card first circulated.

The Pokémon Company reinforced the design across products. Merchandise such as Bonsly plushes consistently includes a hollow opening on the bottom of the character. Whether Bonsly is depicted crying or calm, the hole remains present. For years, that detail defined the character’s entire physical portrayal.

Until recently, the 2007 card was also unique. For more than 16 years, it was the only Bonsly card available in the trading card game. That status earned it a reputation as Bonsly First Pokémon representation in card form, leaving players with no alternative artwork if they wanted the character in their collection.

Hopkins encountered the card earlier this year while discussing infamously odd Pokémon cards at a local shop. Other contenders included Crying Omanyte and the forever alone Cubone, but Bonsly #71 stood out. The moment marked the start of a sustained buying effort that lasted most of 2025. She began visiting her local card store weekly, eventually becoming known to staff as “Bonsly Girl.” Employees set aside any incoming copies specifically for her.

“When I saw Bonsly in the list of these cursed cards, I knew I had found my favorite one,” Hopkins wrote in an email interview. She added that she was surprised she had never noticed the card before.

Her interest escalated quickly. Hopkins estimates she spent around $400 filling the binder, with individual cards typically priced between $1 and $3 at the time. The habit expanded beyond local shops to online sellers, where availability varied as awareness of the card spread.

Price movement followed. Clean copies of Bonsly #71 now sell for as much as $14.99, while average listings commonly sit above $4. The timing overlaps with Hopkins’ online posts, which have drawn millions of views across platforms. While broader market factors are also involved, the visibility pushed by a single collector has coincided with a noticeable price increase more than in earlier years.

The card’s value remains modest compared to iconic Pokémon collectibles, but the upward trend reflects wider conditions. Many long-time hobbyists note that collectors say that TGC prices are soaring across multiple generations of cards in 2025, driven by renewed interest, limited supply, and social media amplification.

Hopkins’ collection continues to grow through unexpected channels. Fans of her YouTube content have mailed their own cards to contribute, turning the project into a shared effort.

“The amazing thing is that some supporters and fans of the YouTube channel have mailed their Bonsly cards to me to add to my collection, and I am keeping these Bonsly safe forever,” Hopkins said.

Community reactions have ranged from admiration to humor. One commenter expressed interest in replicating the strategy, describing the appeal of buying out a common card until it becomes scarce. Others reduced the entire effort to memes centered on the Pokémon hole itself.

Read also, Pokémon TCG Pocket Update Faces Backlash Over Restrictive Trading System, as players criticize the newly introduced trading feature for limiting interaction through heavy resource costs and complex rules, fueling broader concerns about accessibility in digital card platforms.