Poll: Why is Invader Zim so highly praised?

[PunkRex]

GIR is that generation's Pinkie Pie.

I would love to see a GIR/Pinkie Pie crossover.

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 .

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.

 

[Tiger Sora]

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.

 

[BelmontWolf]

people like it because...
PEOPLE
ARE
WEIRD!
to quote Movie bob.

 

[Double A]

Like most things, there is a very simple reason behind it.

Aliens.

 

[him over there]

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.

 

[FallenTraveler]

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...

 

[Semudara]

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.

This.

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!

 

[oktalist]

Same reason I like South Park, the Simpsons, Futurama, Adult Swim, etc.

Satire, irreverence, absurdity.

(I discovered Zim when I was 19, in 2003.)

 

[Anti Nudist Cupcake]

Because it was different, in a good way. It was peculiar, it was odd, it was crazy and hilarious and had a way with making fun of really depressing themes and overtones. It also had really good visuals for its time (won an award for that) and was pretty cool in regards to Sci-Fi.

Of course, it's not that great in modern times :/
These are all based on opinion though and may differ from person to person.