Among the many mysteries surrounding the Saiyan warrior Vegeta, one of the most persistent questions fans have is about the fate of his younger brother, Tarble. While Vegeta’s story has been meticulously detailed across the Dragon Ball saga, from his ruthless conquest of planets to his reluctant alliance with Goku, Tarble has remained largely in the shadows, a background character whose existence was often forgotten. Understanding what happened to this forgotten sibling requires diving into the contradictions of the original anime, the canonical constraints of Dragon Ball Super, and the surprising details finally provided by Akira Toriyama himself.
The Original Mystery: Tarble in the Anime
Before the official lore was solidified, the mystery of Vegeta’s brother was born from a single, throwaway line in the original Dragon Ball Z anime. During the Garlic Jr. saga, a defeated villain named Garlic Jr. searches for a "big brother" who supposedly has the power to defeat him, hinting at a more powerful Saiyan warrior. This vague reference, combined with the appearance of a small, Saiyan-like boy named Tarble in a 1990s TV special, led to rampant fan speculation. For years, the community theorized that this was the elusive sibling, a cosmic warrior who might have surpassed even the prince of all Saiyans.
Debunking the Canon Confusion
To clear the air, it is essential to distinguish between the non-car anime filler and the established canon. The TV special featuring Tarble is not considered part of the main story; it is a comedic, non-canonical side story that often exaggerates character traits for humor. Consequently, for a long time, Tarble’s actual status remained a blank slate, leaving the door open for conflicting interpretations of his power level and relationship to Vegeta. This ambiguity created a space for wish-fulfillment narratives, where fans imagined a hidden prodigy who could one day save the universe.
Official Lore and Akira Toriyama's Input
The definitive answer regarding Vegeta’s brother emerged not from the heat of battle, but from the quiet authority of the series creator. In an official character profile published in the "Daizenshuu" guidebooks and later reaffirmed in various interviews, Akira Toriyama provided the cold, hard truth. According to the grand architect of the saga, Vegeta and Tarble are indeed brothers, but they are nothing alike. Toriyama described Tarble as the "weakest" member of the royal family, a stark contrast to the aggressive, power-hungry Vegeta.
The Planet Trade Dissident
So, what happened to this weakling sibling? The answer reveals a fascinating divergence in their Saiyan trajectories. While Vegeta climbed the ranks of the Planet Trade Organization through brute force and ambition, Tarble took a completely different path. Frightened by his own lack of combat prowess and disgusted by the tyrannical nature of their father, King Vegeta, Tarble made a bold decision. He abandoned the warrior’s life and fled Planet Vegeta, seeking a peaceful existence far away from the bloodshed that defined his brother’s existence.
The Fate of a Pacifist Saiyan
Tarble’s story did not end with a dramatic battle or a heroic sacrifice. Instead, his journey led him to a quiet life on a distant, unnamed planet. There, he lived in fear of his brother’s legacy, knowing that Vegeta had become a figure of galactic infamy. His primary concern was survival, not glory. This changed when he eventually married a kind woman named Gure. Together, they built a simple life, but their peace was short-lived. Sensing the immense power radiating from Earth, Vegeta’s destructive aura prompted Tarble to take the extraordinary step of sending Gure to seek help from the Z Fighters, begging them to intervene and stop his brother from causing havoc.
Vegetal and the Non-Canon Saga
The Mighty Warriors of Universe 6
While Tarble himself remained a background character, his lineage did not go entirely unexplored. In the non-canonical "Dragon Ball Heroes" anime arc, a new character named Vegetal was introduced. Claiming to be the "hero of justice" and the "Prince of the Universe," Vegetal asserted that he was the leader of the strongest warriors in Universe 6. Fans immediately drew connections to Tarble, wondering if this flamboyant villain was the long-lost prince. However, the series quickly subverted this expectation. It was revealed that Vegetal was not a Saiyan at all, but a parasitic plant lifeform that had brainwashed Tarble and two other Nameks into serving as his minions. This storyline, while entertaining, further cemented Tarble’s status as a non-combatant who was more victim than villain.
Ultimately, the saga of Vegeta’s brother is a study in contrasts. It highlights the vast difference between the ruthless warrior who sought dominion and the gentle soul who sought escape. While Vegeta forged his legend through battle, Tarble’s story is a quiet testament to the possibility of choosing peace in a universe defined by violence. His existence serves as a reminder that even in a world of gods and monsters, the choice to walk away from power is a kind of heroism in itself.