Understanding Tarble’s Canon Status in Dragon Ball: An Explanation

Many Dragon Ball enthusiasts frequently ponder the question “Is Tarble now canon?”This stems from certain developments seen in the Super manga and the ambiguous position of this character within the series. Tarble first appeared in the special titled The Return of Son Goku and Friends! back in 2008, where he was revealed to be Vegeta’s estranged brother, a revelation that took the fandom by surprise.

This special marked one of the few new Dragon Ball projects to emerge following the franchise’s conclusion in both anime and manga during the 90s, prior to its revival with Dragon Ball Super in the 2010s.

Thus, the canonical significance of this special and Tarble’s role within the narrative have spurred considerable debate. However, it appears that the Super manga may have confirmed that this character is indeed part of the canonical lore.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the Dragon Ball series.

Tarble’s Canon Status and Its Establishment

The character as seen in the special (Image via Toei Animation).

Tarble can be viewed as a canon character since he was incorporated into the series in the Super manga, notably during the Broly arc. It is in a flashback during this arc that Nappa inquires whether Tarble escaped the destruction of Planet Vegeta, to which the Saiyan Prince responds that he is unaware and uninterested.

Additionally, Bulma references Tarble in Battle of Gods, mentioning his potential involvement in the Super Saiyan God ritual. However, this topic remains unexplored and minimal information is provided regarding Tarble’s activities and possible future role in the series.

Debuting in the 2008 OVA special entitled The Return of Son Goku and Friends!, this project marked the franchise’s first animation since its hiatus nearly a decade earlier.

Nevertheless, the fact that Tarble has not reappeared in subsequent series installments invites much debate regarding his canon status among fans.

Who is Tarble in Dragon Ball?

Tarble as seen in the special (Image via Toei Animation).

Many fans wonder, “Is Tarble canon now?”due to the previously mentioned manga reference and the existence of the special, yet a significant portion of the audience may still be unclear about his narrative role. Tarble is presented as Vegeta’s younger brother who survived the destruction of their home planet and was briefly a member of the Frieza Force, similar to his sibling.

During the special’s events, Tarble seeks assistance from Vegeta and Goku to combat two former Frieza Force members, Abo and Kado, who are said to possess strength on par with the Ginyu Force.

Ultimately, it falls to Goten and Trunks to confront these two adversaries, much to Tarble’s astonishment, as they had already proven themselves strong enough for the task.

Final Thoughts

It is entirely reasonable for many Dragon Ball fans to question “Is Tarble canon now?”due to how his character has been treated within the Super manga.

Moreover, considering that he is Vegeta’s brother yet lacks a well-defined role in the series, Tarble remains a perplexing character for audiences.

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