Poll: Why is Invader Zim so highly praised?
- Thread starter Swifty714
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Mainly, I think the off-beat humor, the style, and the fact that, despite it being a childrens cartoon, it had a sort of... Latent maturity to it. I'm not sure how else to describe it, but really, its the intangible things that made it really appeal to the tastes of some, while shunning away others.
In a way, I would liken Zim to two things: The Last Airbender, simply for being something that was different from standard Nick fare, and Red vs. Blue, for having one character that was either loved or hated for his idiocy. Some people love Caboose and GIR simply because of how stupid, random and endearing they can be.
If its not for you, thats fine. It really all depends on your tastes. I really think thats the case for all niche cult-classics.
In a way, I would liken Zim to two things: The Last Airbender, simply for being something that was different from standard Nick fare, and Red vs. Blue, for having one character that was either loved or hated for his idiocy. Some people love Caboose and GIR simply because of how stupid, random and endearing they can be.
If its not for you, thats fine. It really all depends on your tastes. I really think thats the case for all niche cult-classics.
I liked it for the art style and laughs but mostly it flows though me like giant radio active rubber pants !!
It entertained me to no end, that is all. I loved it right up there with Johnny Bravo, Catdog, Dexter's Lab... Its one of those things that people enjoyed during their childhood, but later became popular.
It's a love it or hate it show, like most of Nick's classics. I myself was a huge fan of Angry beavers, Rocko's modern life, AAAAAHHHHH!! Real monsters, of course Invader Zim, The grim adventures of Billy and Mandy(And before you say it, yes, I know that was on Cartoon Network), and a few other odd shows from the time. Really it comes down to nostalgia and attitude. As a kid, things of the goth sort always fascinated me, and I grew an early idea that nearly everyone in the world was an idiot. I suppose those ideals, mostly, are what I owe my love to Grim and Zim.
It was sort of just the anti-cartoon. So chock full of references and more adult jokes that it appealed to someone who wasn't a fan of most entertainment, or people in general. Having a show reinforce your idea that people are mostly complete morons and that the world is a crappy junk heap was sort of comforting. It felt like the show was made for the express purpose of feeding my already hastily developed hate.
Yeah it sound's kinda emo-esque, and I can easily blame shows like that for making our annoying and self-absorbed blights on humanity. But they worked fine for people like me, who eventually just grew into reality easier with the aid of these shows.
But hey, I could be over-analyzing here.
It was sort of just the anti-cartoon. So chock full of references and more adult jokes that it appealed to someone who wasn't a fan of most entertainment, or people in general. Having a show reinforce your idea that people are mostly complete morons and that the world is a crappy junk heap was sort of comforting. It felt like the show was made for the express purpose of feeding my already hastily developed hate.
Yeah it sound's kinda emo-esque, and I can easily blame shows like that for making our annoying and self-absorbed blights on humanity. But they worked fine for people like me, who eventually just grew into reality easier with the aid of these shows.
But hey, I could be over-analyzing here.
Zim was more popular among viewers between the ages of 15-18 and even some people in their early 20's than Nick's target audience: 7-12 year olds. So they cancelled it. Also, best show ever. If I had to choose between bringing back Firefly and bringing back Zim... I'd choose Zim. It's just that good.
I know, right? Why sully Friendship is Magic's reputation with such tripe?Don Savik said:
Invader Zim is similar to Earthbound in that it's incredibly quirky, off-beat, and insular; one just has to "get it". There's no explaining or examining why it does or doesn't work because it is so far removed from classical narrative or comedic structure, talking about it as such is meaningless. A cynical person would say its enduring popularity amongst goths and other punk-derived subcultures is because it creeps out "mundanes", but really, it's random neurons lining up just right.
I guess I find it entertaining because I have a real soft spot in my heart for dim, ineffectual, bad guys and Zim is the amazing kind of arrogant sociopath that continues stubbornly in his delusions of grandeur even in the face of logic and spectacular failures. It's fun to watch him and Dib have their "epic battles" when they're the only ones in the entire show that take any of it seriously, including the creators. Yeah, the attention and commercialization it has been getting in the past few years from the Hot Topic crowd is obnoxious, but it's not going to stop me from liking it.
On the topic of the MLP comparison; no. I don't care if Pinkie and Gir are both "Omg, so random!", the two series could not be more different in terms of how they present the world. As much as I do like it, Invader Zim is cynical and bitter and I would never want to see that sort of negativity touching something that is supposed to be about optimism and kindness. I know it's a silly thing to get up in arms about, but the idea bothers me. I am fully aware I need to get less emotional about cartoons.
On the topic of the MLP comparison; no. I don't care if Pinkie and Gir are both "Omg, so random!", the two series could not be more different in terms of how they present the world. As much as I do like it, Invader Zim is cynical and bitter and I would never want to see that sort of negativity touching something that is supposed to be about optimism and kindness. I know it's a silly thing to get up in arms about, but the idea bothers me. I am fully aware I need to get less emotional about cartoons.
It's highly praised because kids on the internet love things that are "random", rather than things that are well-written. This explains the popularity of substanceless tripe like Invader Zim and Aqua Teen Hunger Force, say nothing of the absolutely execrable Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, which is in the same category as the aforementioned two in addition to being the worst television show of all time.
I know its kind of rude to post your own stuff but I figurred you might enjoy the pic http://mohawkrex.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=48#/d42ank7 .Aris Khandr said:
Anyways, I love Invader Zim for the same reasons I love Ren & Stimpy, its twisted. Really, REALLY twisted. The characters, setting, plot, all of it is so messed up its funny, at least for me. Gaz is bad arse, Dib is pathetic, Zim is a moron, Gir is... well Gir, its funny just to see the characters smash heads (quite literally some times). Your not in it for the depth or so that you feel warm fuzzy feelings for these characters like say MLP FiM, you love to see them get hurt like Tom and Jerry. Although when the characters do get a win it sort of side swipes you and catchs you for a loop, it shocks you into cheering for them... or something less pretentious I don't know.
Jhonen Vasquez, from what I hear is in the same general mind set as John Kricfalusi. He does what he wants, when he wants, if he thinks its funny. I understand if you want to know why people like it but I wouldn't bother going into to much depth with the show itself, its just crazy fun and smart ideas! Thats why I love it.
It's this rather morbid bit about it, coupled with the over the top ability to annoy just seems to bring me in closer. It's hard to explain, but I liked it. Gir was an inspiration to my randomness.
I like how you said that edgy teens will buy anything and claim it's good if it's endorsed by hot topic. You know how you can tell if someone is a fan of invader zim? they own nothing (Besides maybe the dvds) related to invader zim.
As for the show? yeah I like it. I especially how it was slightly darker and creepier, as well as sort of depreciative and robbing of innocence. Especially the christmas episode.
"Is Santa Real?" "Of course! he hangs out in space gathering power to one day destroy us all, that's why we live under this giant dome." *Giant mutant disfigured santa monster crashes down* The show was at least unique and if you don't like it you have head pigeons, go to the nurse.
As for the show? yeah I like it. I especially how it was slightly darker and creepier, as well as sort of depreciative and robbing of innocence. Especially the christmas episode.
"Is Santa Real?" "Of course! he hangs out in space gathering power to one day destroy us all, that's why we live under this giant dome." *Giant mutant disfigured santa monster crashes down* The show was at least unique and if you don't like it you have head pigeons, go to the nurse.
Invader Zim is considered a staple of many people's childhood. The popularity of the show comes from the dark humor and premises they set up.
GIR is one of the funniest characters in a show, his hilarity comes from just how annoying he is.
I don't even know where to go with this from here, it was a good show, and if you don't like it, that's too bad. There are stupid moments because stupidity is nearly the main theme of the show.
A room with a moose...
GIR is one of the funniest characters in a show, his hilarity comes from just how annoying he is.
I don't even know where to go with this from here, it was a good show, and if you don't like it, that's too bad. There are stupid moments because stupidity is nearly the main theme of the show.
A room with a moose...
This.Texas Joker 52 said:
The show is unique, it was edgy for a Nickelodeon show at the time, and it played the critical role in cultivating the crazier side of my sense of humor.
I find it doesn't hold up perfectly now that I'm no longer a kid, but if I take the time to watch a few episodes I can get back into the mindset to appreciate it for the cartoon that it is. And for what it is, it's brilliant and wonderful and slightly twisted... a perfect combination!
