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Tambourine

Character

Tambourine is a mutated Namekian spawned by King Piccolo and tasked with assassinating martial artists who might pose a threat to his father's conquest. He is responsible for the death of Krillin after the 22nd World Tournament.

Race: Demonic Namekian
Gender: Male
Status: Deceased

First Appearance

Allegiances

Demon Clan
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Role in the Story

Tambourine is one of the demonic offspring that King Piccolo creates to carry out his agenda of world domination. He has a gargoyle-like appearance with large wings, a trait that distinguishes him from normal Namekians and reflects King Piccolo's corrupted nature.

King Piccolo dispatches Tambourine to eliminate all martial artists who participated in recent World Tournaments, as their fighting skills represent the only potential threat to his plans. Tambourine's first victim is Krillin, whom he murders shortly after the conclusion of the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament. This act sends shockwaves through the cast and sets Goku on a path of vengeance that defines the entire King Piccolo Saga.

Tambourine goes on to kill several other fighters, including Bacterian, King Chappa, and others from the tournament roster. When Goku finally catches up to him, the young Saiyan is initially too weak and hungry to fight effectively, and Tambourine beats him badly. However, during their rematch, a recovered and enraged Goku obliterates Tambourine with a single Kamehameha blast, avenging Krillin and the other fallen martial artists.

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Significance

Tambourine's murder of Krillin is one of the most pivotal moments in the original Dragon Ball series. It marks the first time a major supporting character is killed, introducing real stakes and consequences to the narrative. The event transforms the tone of the series from light-hearted adventure to something more serious and dangerous, paving the way for the darker storytelling that continues into Dragon Ball Z.

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Sources & Information

Looking for more on Tambourine? The Dragon Ball Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.

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This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Dragon Ball anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.

Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:

  • Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Toei Animation and Shueisha.
  • Game pages: official box art, credited to Bandai Namco, Atari, and other publishers.
  • Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Akira Toriyama.

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