Invader ZIM (2001–2003)

A short alien bent on conquering Earth poses as a human, and only one paranoid child knows his secret. Warning: Piggies may be involved in resulting insanity.

Creator:

Jhonen Vasquez

Stars:

Andy Berman, Richard Steven Horvitz, Rosearik Rikki Simons

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Andy Berman	...	Dib (28 episodes, 2001-2006)
Richard Steven Horvitz	...	Zim (27 episodes, 2001-2006)
Rosearik Rikki Simons	...	GIR (26 episodes, 2001-2006)
Melissa Fahn	...	Gaz (22 episodes, 2001-2006)
Jhonen Vasquez	...	Computer (19 episodes, 2001-2006)
Rodger Bumpass	...	Professor Membrane (18 episodes, 2001-2006)
Lucille Bliss	...	Ms. Bitters (15 episodes, 2001-2006)
Mo Collins	...	Zita (13 episodes, 2001-2006)
Wally Wingert	...	Almighty Tallest Red (12 episodes, 2001-2006)

Storyline

Invader ZIM is an eccentric alien soldier from the planet Irk. He was banished from the Irken Empire after nearly destroying his home planet on an early mission. After begging his superiors, the Almighty Tallest Red and Purple, for another chance, they decide to get rid of him once and for all. They trick him into going on a "secret mission" to an obscure planet at the edge of the universe, a planet with the unlikely name of Earth. Their trick works, and now ZIM is intent on bringing down the human race. He disguises himself as a schoolboy, and now the only person who can stop him is one kid - Dib Membrane, a somewhat insane paranormal researcher, who sees straight through ZIM's disguise and is intent on stopping his reign of terror. But neither ZIM nor Dib is very good at their job, and what results is everything imaginable, from a giant hamster destroying the city to both ZIM and Dib being turned into bologna meat.

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Plot Keywords:

disguise | robot | meat | insanity | nicktoon | 

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Drama | Family | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-Y7

Details

Official Sites:

Viacom - Nick

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 March 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Osvajač Zim

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nicktoons Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (27 episodes)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the episode "A Plague of Babies", the goth vampire from series creator Jhonen Vasquez's "Meanwhile..." comic is visible in the background of the first baby's house.

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Quotes

Gir: Somebody needs a hug!

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Connections

Featured in Atop the Fourth Wall: Gameboy #2 (2012)

User Reviews

Utter insanity...I LOVE IT!

Like most, I was shocked and extremely disappointed with Nick when they pulled the plug on this show. Not that I have anything against them, they're an alright company (though I loathe Rugrats, they seriously overplay that toon). But you think that a network that wants as many good shows as it can get would hang on to something this unique. Alas they wanted save face and keep their kiddie image. So when they went to the creator to tone down its...aggressive nature. He refused on most accounts and well, you know the rest. Still in its aftermath, the show has gained a tons of fans, merchandise and a huge effort to get it back on the air (though i doubt its possible due to the creator's statement about never working in animation again...quitter :P).

I've been with the show ever since its premiere and its taken awhile to grow on me but thats mainly due to extreme craziness this show belts out. Common sense is just thrown out the window in IZ though you can still make out the stories between the screaming and mayhem. And what a bunch of stories, I've never seen such creativeness crammed into thirty minutes. The writers take such simple concepts and really go nuts with them. Your always expecting one thing then something just jump out of nowhere to really make you head spin. And with characters as wired as Zim or as annoying as Dib, why wouldn't it. And the humor, oh it just got to be seen to believed. A perfect blend of sci-fi and dark humor. All I can tell you is by the time the credits roll, you be grasping for air due to all the laughing (considering you have a taste in this type of stuff). I can kinda see why Nick was a little uneasy with most of the content. Its not vulgar but it is a little disturbing now and then.

Artwise, its an very unique style. Cute yet creepy with a nice blend of colors and shading. The CGI parts aren't bad neither especially with its use of camera on action scenes. The only flaw I noticed about it is that the lips can't keep up with the words half the time. But that a usual problem most cartoons have, so it can be overlooked.

Music, well done with dramatic beats that really enhance the craziness of the situations. Ditto on the voice acting as they match up to the characters really well. Even the background characters are worth listening too.

Overall, it was a fine series while it lasted and was unfairly canned due to the network not having it way (and mean seriously Nick, "buget problems". If you can't admit you had personal problems with the show. Then your not the network I watched as a kid). I doubt we'll ever get a show like this again but at least fans can enjoy it on the rightly deserved DVDs. VICTORY! VICTORY FOR THE ZIM FANS!