Invader Zim

Invader Zim is a 2001 animated television series created by comic book writer/artist Jhonen Vasquez and aired on Nickelodeon. The show has interesting animation, quirky humor, and a dark, cynical style which combined to give it a growing, devoted cult following, particularly among young adult viewers older than the normal Nickelodeon viewer base (young children). Disappointed that its low ratings did not justify high production costs, Nickelodeon initially cancelled the show. Production was reinstated after intense pressure from fans, and then cancelled, resumed and cancelled once more. In all, one and a half seasons of Invader Zim were made (the second being incomplete). It was first broadcast in March 2001. Invader Zim DVD compilations have been released by Media Blasters. On June 25, 2005, a dubbed Japanese version was broadcast in Japan, with Japanese voice actress Nao Nagasawa as the voice of Zim.{{Inote|Lychii 2 July 2005|Lychii20050702}}

Related Topics:
Invader Zim - 2001 - Animated television series - Comic book - Jhonen Vasquez - Nickelodeon - Cult following - DVD compilations - Media Blasters - June 25 - 2005 - Dubbed - Japanese - Japan - Nao Nagasawa

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Zim is a member of the mighty Irken race, a species of aliens whose social hierarchy is based on height. The Irken head of state is the Almighty Tallest (during the course of the show, leadership of the Irken Empire is shared by two Tallest who are exactly the same height). Zim was banished to the planet Foodcourtia as a frycook for the remainder of his life for destroying a sizable portion of an Irken city with a giant robot, known as the Frontline Battle Mech. The robot was part of Operation Impending Doom I, a major galactic conquest venture by the Irkens. Zim was overeager (as usual) and activated his robot before leaving his home planet, much to the chagrin and hatred of his leaders.

Related Topics:
Zim - Irken - Social hierarchy - Almighty Tallest - Banish

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Upon hearing of Operation Impending Doom II, Zim "quits" being banished and arrives at the Great Assigning where Irken Elite soldiers are chosen to become Invaders, special soldiers whose mission it is to blend in with the indigenous life forms of their assigned planet and collect intelligence. Zim pleads with the Tallest to assign him a planet, and in a desperate act to get Zim as far away as possible, assign him to a "Mystery Planet", which turns out to be Earth.

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The show features the exploits of Zim trying to conquer the Earth while his arch-nemesis Dib tries to stop him. The concept of alien invasion or conquest of Earth resisted by a lone guardian is the basis of a science fiction sub-genre but the idea of repeated inept failure by the alien conqueror seems to be original.

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In a Nickelodeon Magazine Special, there was a short 4 page comic of "Invader Zim" that ended the series with Zim taking over the world while Dib wasn't looking, then inviting Dib to go into space with him and ride giant alien bunnies. But another possible ending would end up with Zim failing to take over the world in the episode "The Most Horrible X-Mas Ever", which was the last episode made of the series, where we see 2 million years into the future and the humans are not conquered or destroyed. Santa, however, has become an intergalactic chaos beast. But then again, it could also be possible that over such a long course of time, power over Earth could have shifted hands.

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Invader Zim DVDs are now available.

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