THE AMAZING INVADER ZIM EPISODE GUIDE
To view the episode guide listing the episodes in production order, click here.
"UNAIRED" means the episode was completed, but hasn't aired as of yet.
Pilot
Pilot
Production Number: N/A
Original Airdate: UNAIRED
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez
Dib notices Zim is allergic to the cafeteria food, and uses it to his advantage by starting a food fight using a food-gun.
This was just a test episode for Nickelodeon. Nick rarely ever airs their pilots, so not airing this is no suprise. However, it will make it to the Internet someday.
There was a 3-D Test done of the food fight sequence.
Billy West did the voice of Zim here, instead of Richard Horvitz.
During Nick's early Zim commercials, there were some clips from this episode.
Season 1
The Nightmare Begins
Production Number: 01
Original Airdate: March 30, 2001
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Rob Hummel
Operation Impending Doom II is now being held for the Irken Invaders. The Almighy Tallest have planned Impending Doom II so the same accident that happened in Doom I doesn't happen. ZIM, the one who caused the accident found out about this, and insisted he be part of it. Since the Tallest are so sick of Zim, they send him to an "unknown planet" (that they don't even know about.) This planet just happens to be Earth. And Zim's mission begins.
Ms. Bitters is the same teacher in "Squee!".
The robot Zim used to destoy Irk is called "The Battle Mech 4."
Parent Teacher Night
Production Number: 03A
Original Airdate: April 6, 2001
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Rob Hummel
It's Parent/Teacher Night at skool, and Zim must use his Robo-Parents. He shows them a video program of how to be good parents, but when he leaves the room, GIR turns it off and begins watching some his favorite shows, which gets put into the Robo-Parents' brains. When they arrive, horrible things begin to happen.
Walk of Doom
Production Number: 03B
Original Airdate: April 6, 2001
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Rob Hummel
Zim upgrades GIR's artificial intelligence, so he can guide them out of anything. To test it, Zim and GIR go out into the nearby city and get as lost as they possibly can, and let GIR lead them out. But GIR leaves the chip at home.
When Zim is blinded by the sun, and begins to wait to see again, you can see a huge "Z?" on the wall, which means "Question Sleep."
In the bus scene, when the cab goes by, these signs go by really fast: "Stop Making Babies", "The Goat Whats You", "Pawn Shop: Buy or be Sad", "Bus/Not Bug", "Warm the Globe", "Love or Die", "Hate!!!", "Insurance!".
Bestest Friend
Production Number: 02A
Original Airdate: April 13, 2001
Written by: Rob Hummel, Roman Dirge, Jhonen Vasquez
In order to appear more human, Zim obtains a "bestest friend", Keef. But soon Zim wants to get rid of Keef, but just can't, because Keef keeps bugging him.
Nanozim
Production Number: 04B
Original Airdate: April 13, 2001
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Rob Hummel
Dib takes a picture of Zim out of his disguise, and is about to send it to Mysterious Mysteries. So Zim goes inside Dib's brain to delete the knowledge of the picture.
Germs
Production Number: 04A
Original Airdate: April 20, 2001
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Rob Hummel
After watching a movie where aliens are allergic to germs, Zim begins to fear germs himself, and will do anything to get rid of them.
The ending to this episode was revealed in the episode "Battle of the Planets."
Dark Harvest
Production Number: 02B
Original Airdate: April 20, 2001
Written by: Eric Trueheart, Rob Hummel
Zim wants to appear more human by stealing human organs for himself, so he goes on a rampage, stealing organs. Dib must stop him.
During the chase scene, at one point you can see "JV" written on an arrow on the wall.
This episode, and Lice are the only episodes that take place entirely in the skool.
Attack of the Saucer Morons
Production Number: 05A
Original Airdate: April 27, 2001
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Eric Trueheart
Zim is captured by a bunch of alien-worshipping morons.
The Wettening
Production Number: 05B
Original Airdate: April 27, 2001
Written by: Roman Dirge, Eric Trueheart, Rob Hummel
Zim is burned by water, and Dib uses this to his advantage, of course. But Zim challenges Dib to a water war, and he wins.
This episode was almost scrapped because the writers had trouble making it long enough.
When Zim analyzes the paste, these are the ingredients: Asteroid, Rat Hair, Cupcake, Ear Wax, Big Book, H2O, Wale Jellow, Dirty Dirt, Past
Career Day
Production Number: 06A
Original Airdate: May 4, 2001
Written by: Rob Hummel
It's Career Day at skool, and each student is paired with an adult. Zim is paired with a MacMeaties employee, and Dib is paired with an insane paranormal investigator. Meanwhile, Zim is going through a molt and is finding ways to quit, while Dib is trying to convince his mentor to go to MacMeaties to see Zim.
When Bill and Dib are in the car, you can hear Bill running over various animals.
Battle-Dib
Production Number: 06B
Original Airdate: May 4, 2001
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Eric Trueheart
Dib must get a permission slip signed by his dad in order to attend a Swollen Eyeball meeting, and must go through a series of tests to see him.
This episode doesn't have Zim in it.
A Room with a Moose
Production Number: 09A
Original Airdate: August 17, 2001
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Rob Hummel
Zim tries to destroy Dib and his classmates by sending them to....a room.....WITH A MOOSE!!!!
Hamstergeddon
Production Number: 09B
Original Airdate: August 17, 2001
Written by: Eric Trueheart
Zim uses the class hamster's cuteness to destoy the city.
Invasion of the Idiot Dog Brain
Production Number: 08B
Original Airdate: August 24, 2001
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Rob Hummel
Gir's brain gets stuck in the house's computer, and a whole bunch of CHAOS! goes on.
Bad, Bad Rubber Piggy
Production Number: 07B
Original Airdate: August 24, 2001
Written by: Eric Trueheart
Zim changes Dib's past until he is destroyed by using rubber piggies.
Planet Jackers
Production Number: 07A
Original Airdate: August 31, 2001
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Rob Hummel
The "Planet Jackers" steal Earth and try to destroy it, and Zim must go save Earth so his mission won't be ruined.
The Planet Jackers' names are Nik and Oog-Ah.
The scene where Zim flies around the shell is done entirely in 3-D.
Rise of the Zitboy
Production Number: 08A
Original Airdate: August 31, 2001
Written by: Frank Conniff, Roman Dirge
Zim obtains a hypnotic pimple on his face and uses it to control the minds of fellow students, mostly to trick Dib into telling him what is wrong with his security.
Plague of Babies
Production Number: 10A
Original Airdate: September 7, 2001
Written by: Rob Hummel
Some alien babies capture Zim so they can steal his ship.
Bloaty's Pizza Hog
Production Number: 10B
Original Airdate: September 7, 2001
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Rob Hummel
Gaz must rescue Dib from Zim so she can go eat pizza with her dad.
Bolognius Maximus
Production Number: 12A
Original Airdate: September 21, 2001
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez
Zim injects bologna DNA into Dib's body.
Notice there is a gap between the airdates of Plague of Babies/Bloaty's Pizza Hog and Bolognius Maximus/Game Slave 2. Door to Door/FBI Warning of Doom was originally planned to air on September 14, 2001, but couldn't because of 9/11 so they could edit the scene of New York in ruins.
This is one of Jhonen's favorite episodes.
Look for "Zim is an alien!" writting on one of the stall doors.
Game Slave 2
Production Number: 12B
Original Airdate: September 21, 2001
Written by: Eric Trueheart, Jhonen Vasquez
Gaz finds out about the new video game "Game Slave 2" and goes out to buy it, but a kid named Iggins steals it, so Gaz hunts him down.
This episode doesn't have Zim in it.
This episode was originally going to be called "Game Slave Advance", but Nintendo found out and said they couldn't name it that.
Halloween Spectacular of Spooky Doom
Production Number: 16
Original Airdate: October 26, 2001
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Rob Hummel
It's Halloween, and Zim is scared that the kids are zombies. Meanwhile, Dib is trapped in a Nightmare World that he accidently brings Zim into.
Mysterious Mysteries
Production Number: 14A
Original Airdate: March 22, 2002
Written by: Rob Hummel, Courtney Lilly
Dib finally gets to be on his favorite TV show, Mysterious Mysteries, where he attempts to prove that Zim is an alien on national TV.
Future Dib
Production Number: 15B
Original Airdate: March 22, 2002
Written by: Rob Hummel
Professor Membrane has revealed his greatest invention: The PEG (Perpetual Energy Generator). However, he says it will send a wave of doom and destroy Earth. He plots something. Then, later, Dib finds a future version of himself in his room.
Door to Door
Production Number: 11A
Original Airdate: March 29, 2002
Written by: Eric Trueheart, Courtney Lilly
The skool is running a fundraiser to sell candy. Whoever sells the most will get a "mystery prize." So Zim sells as much as he can, hoping to get the mystery prize, hoping it's the key to destroying Earth.
This episode was originally supposed to air on September 14, but it couldn't because they had to cut the scene with New York in ruins out.
However, when this episode first aired, it aired uncut.
This the only episode that has 2 air-able versions.
FBI Warning of Doom
Production Number: 11B
Original Airdate: March 29, 2002
Written by: Frank Conniff, Jhonen Vasquez
When GIR is watching a movie, Zim sees the FBI Warning at the beginning, and begins to freak out. It turns out, the video is overdue, and Zim must break into the mall so he can return it.
The original title of this episode was just "FBI Warning."
The FBI Warning: WARNING OF DOOM! Federal law provides severe civil and criminal penalties for the unauthorized reproduction, distribution, exhibition of copyrighted motion pictures in anymedium (Title 17, United States Code, Section 501 and 506). The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigates allegations of criminal copyright infringement. They will hunt you down like the dirty monkey you are and force you to wear a moose skin and ride a greased piggy while singing folk tunes. They're forcing me to ride the piggy as I write this. The piggy is smelly! Show 11B, PRINTED IN USA Zimpact Inc. All Rights Reserved
The credits to Intestines of War:
The General - Ress Stevel
Sarge - Steve Ressel
Private Poop - Himself
Nurse - J. Diffi
Private Hack - Kriz Graf
Colonel Colon - Ion
The President - Hed Cheez
Captain Dook - Gurge
Battle of the Planets
Production Number: 13
Original Airdate: April 5, 2002
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez
Zim discovers that there is no life on Mars, and tries to find out what wiped them out. It turns out Mars is actually a giant spaceship, and he uses it to squish all the life on Earth. But Dib comes with Mercury to stop him.
This episode was originally supposed to be the season finale, but Nick ordered 7 more episodes for season 1, stretching it to Tak: the Hideous New Girl.
Abducted
Production Number: 14B
Original Airdate: April 12, 2002
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Rob Hummel
Zim gets abducted by aliens.
The aliens are the same aliens in "Squee!".
The Sad, Sad Tale of Chickenfoot
Production Number: 17A
Original Airdate: April 12, 2002
Written by: Eric Trueheart
The stuff on Mysterious Mysteries is boring Dib to death. He knows the whole Chickenfoot mystery is a fraud, but nobody will believe him, so he goes to find the real Chickenfoot to prove it.
When Dib is reading the apartment listings, he says "Trueheart...". This is for Eric Trueheart, who wrote the episode.
This episode doesn't have Zim in it.
Megadoomer
Production Number: 19B
Original Airdate: April 26, 2002
Written by: Eric Trueheart, Jhonen Vasquez
Zim accidently recieves a Megadoomer Mech, which he will use to destroy Dib. It has a cloaking device, but Zim doesn't quite understand that just because the robot is invisible doesn't mean he is.
When the girl at the computer looks out the window, you can see "911" written on one of her books. This is a September 11th reference.
Lice
Production Number: 18B
Original Airdate: April 26, 2002
Written by: Rob Hummel
An outbreak of lice all of a sudden happens.
This episode was originally going to be called "Lice Nazi", but Nick didn't allow it, so it was changed to "Lice of Doom", but Nick didn't want 2 episodes with "Doom" in the title paired together, so it was changed to just "Lice."
This episode, and Dark Harvest are the only episodes that take place entirely in the skool.
Tak: the Hideous New Girl
Production Number: 20
Original Airdate: May 10, 2002
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Eric Trueheart
An Irken named Tak comes to Earth to take Zim's mission because of what Zim did to her 50 years before.
When GIR is watching TV, he's watching the Acne Blast commercial from Rise of the Zitboy.
Gir Goes Crazy and Stuff
Production Number: 17B
Original Airdate: May 24, 2002
Written by: Eric Trueheart
Zim upgrades GIR again, but this time he becomes so powerful that he tries to overtake his master.
The song when GIR dances to the cow is the same music from the end of Walk of Doom.
Dib's Wonderful Life of Doom
Production Number: 19A
Original Airdate: May 24, 2002
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Eric Trueheart
After throwing a muffin at Zim, Dib's life suddenly starts to become better and we travel in time to see him conquer all his dreams.
This episode was originally called "The Happy Smiley Dib Show."
Hobo 13
Production Number: 15A
Original Airdate: July 12, 2002
Written by: Eric Trueheart, Danielle Koenig
Annoyed with another weapon request, the Tallest send Zim to Hobo 13, where he will be torn limb from limb.
Walk for Your Lives
Production Number: 18A
Original Airdate: September 28, 2002
Written by: Eric Trueheart
In attempt to impress the Tallest, Zim accidently creates a slowly-expanding explosion. Dib has been slowed down by it, and slowly goes for help.
This episode first aired on Nicktoons TV on this date. It didn't air with Hobo 13 on July 12th because Nick was only showing half of Zim then.
After September 11, this episode was almost banned, but Nick thought about it some more and decide to just edit down the episode so it was less harmful.
Season 2
The Most Horrible Xmas Ever
Production Number: 29
Original Airdate: December 10, 2002
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Eric Trueheart
Zim poses as Santa in order to take over the world, but Dib is here to stop him.
The story behind this episode: Yeah, this is actually episode 27, not episode 29. But when Zim was canceled, 13 episodes were left unfinished, and this one was going to be, too. But Jhonen begged them to allow them to finish this one first, and they agreed. The reason Minimoose is in this episode is because Nubs of Doom was episode 28B, and this is 29. Because of this, Minimoose has "been with Zim the whole time." This episode was supposed to be the last to air, but it aired first as the season 2 premier.
This episode was originally going to be called "The Most Horrible Christmas Ever", but Nick made them change it to "Xmas". Hmm...
Backseat Drivers from Beyond the Stars
Production Number: 21
Original Airdate: June 10, 2006
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez
Zim controls the Tallests' ship in order to bring them to Earth so they can watch his latest plan. But Dib tries to stop him by using Tak's ship.
This is Jhonen's favorite episode.
Tak is involved in this episode.
For a very long time, this episode (and all episodes from season 2 except for the Christmas special) was only aired overseas. It wasn't until 2006 that it was aired on Nicktoons Network.
The Girl Who Cried Gnome
Production Number: 22A
Original Airdate: UNAIRED
Written by:
A girl named Moofy wanders into Zim's gnomefield and gets trapped there.
This episode was almost canceled after 9/11, but Nick thought about it, and left the episode untouched.
Dibship Rising
Production Number: 25A
Original Airdate: UNAIRED
Written by: Eric Trueheart
Dib attempts to fly Tak's ship.
Tak is involved in this episode.
This episode was originally going to be called "Dib Ship."
Vindicated!
Production Number: 24A
Original Airdate: UNAIRED
Written by: Danielle Koenig
Dib is deemed crazy and is sent to the counselor. When he gets there, the conselor tells Dib he believes Zim is an alien. They both team up to expose Zim by videotaping him out of disguise.
The Voting of the Doomed
Production Number: 24B
Original Airdate: UNAIRED
Written by: Eric Trueheart
It's time for class elections at skool, and it's Zim vs. Willy. Willy is a slobbering moron, so nobody will vote for him, but Dib has to make sure Zim doesn't win.
Mortos der Soulstealer
Production Number: 22B
Original Airdate: June 17, 2006
Written by: Eric Trueheart
A hobo named Mortos comes to Earth, and Dib uses him against Zim to steal his soul. Meanwhile, Zim's doing his evil plan - throwing rats around the city.
This was probably the most sloppily done episode ever done on Zim. Even *Jhonen* hates this episode.
This episode aired on Nicktoons Network in the US.
Zim Eats Waffles
Production Number: 25B
Original Airdate: June 17, 2006
Written by: Eric Trueheart
Dib wants to find out Zim's next evil plan, so he installs a camera in Zim's house. Zim is just about to reveal it, but Gir brings in waffles. Zim eats them. Then Zim is about to explain it again, and Gir brings in more waffles. Zim eats them. This repeats throughout the whole episode.
This episode takes place almost entirely in one room. The camera angle stays the same for pretty much the whole episode.
This was a "throwaway" episode that was made so the staff could use the money they had for bigger episodes down the road, like The Trial.
This episode aired on Nicktoons Network in the US.
Gaz: Taster of Pork
Production Number: 26
Original Airdate: UNAIRED
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez
Dib casts a spell on Gaz to make everything she eats taste like pork.
The Frycook What Came from All That Space
Production Number: 23
Original Airdate: UNAIRED
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez
A frycook from Foodcourtia captures Zim and brings him back to the planet to fry food, and Zim has to escape.
The original title was "Frycook from Beyond the Stars".
Season 2 (scrapped)
All episodes after Frycook were scrapped mid-production and canceled when the show was canceled. The following episodes will NOT air, because they were not completed, though you may be able to find scripts of some of them at A Room with a Moose.
Roboparents Gone Wild
Production Number: 27A
Status: Script, Audio track
Written by: Rob Hummel, Courtney Lilly
Zim's Robo-Parents become too parental. Zim is deemed "naughty" and is cast out of the house. Zim must team up with a hobo in order to get back into the house.
Simon Sez Doom!
Production Number: 27B
Status: Script, Audio track
Written by: Courtney Lilly
Mr. Elliot is running an orphanage program, and Zim and Dib are forced to join. The orphans learn the game "Simon Says", and Zim uses this to his advantage. He says "Simon says destroy everything!", and doom happens.
Invader Poonchy
Production Number: 28A
Status: Script, Audio track, Storyboard
Written by: Brent Crowe, Rob Hummel
Zim tricks Dib into thinking Poonchy (a classmate) is another Irken Invader. But soon Zim begins to believe it himself, and tries to destroy Poonchy in fear of him ruining the mission.
This episode was set to be completed on Janurary 18, 2002. The show was canceled on Janurary 17, 2002. If Nick had canceled the show one day later, this episode, along with Nubs of Doom would have been completed and shown.
Nubs of Doom
Production Number: 28B
Status: Script, Audio track
Written by: Eric Trueheart, Jhonen Vasquez
Zim creates a new weapon/sidekick: Minimoose! Minimoose has tons of weapons hidden in his nubs, but Zim doesn't fully understand how to control them, and ends up destroying the base.
This is Minimoose's premier episode. This is 28B and Christmas is 29, explaining why Minimoose is in the Christmas episode.
Top of the Line
Production Number: 30
Status: Script
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez
There's a SIR competition among the Invaders. Zim is, of course, there, and GIR ends up being the best one. But he also ends up destroying all the other SIRs except Skoodge's and Tenn's.
Tak would have been the villain in this episode.
This episode did have a script, but RAWM didn't get it for some reason...
Return of Keef
Production Number: 31A
Status: Script, Audio track
Written by: Daneille Koenig
Keef is back to be Zim's friend again, and also wants to be Dib's. So Zim and Dib must team up to destroy Keef for their own seperate reasons.
When Keef explodes, he reforms because Nick wouldn't allow him to die.
Gir's Big Day
Production Number: 31B
Status: Outline
Gir goes out to get some cleaning things for Zim, and gets hit by a truck. The truck drivers are surprised GIR survived and thinks he's a wonderdog. Scientists end up doing tests on him, and try to clone him, but donut crumbs also accidently get into the DNA.
This episode was an outline episode meaning there was no script yet. They only had ideas.
Mopiness of Doom
Production Number: 32A
Status: Script, Audio track
Written by: Danielle Koenig
Dib is sick of his failure at paranormal science, and begins to help his dad with real science. Now that Zim doesn't have an ememy, he begins to slack off.
Those!
Production Number: 32B
Status: Outline
Zim commands an army of GIANT ALIEN ANTS, that are about the size of a shoe.
This was just an outline episode, meaning there was no script. They only had ideas.
This episode had been floating around ever since season 1. The writers kept revising the premise to the way they wanted this episode to be.
The Trial
Production Number: 34
Status: Script, Audio track, Storyboard
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Eric Trueheart
The Tallest bring Zim to a trial where he will be killed because of everything he did in his life that went wrong.
This site's forum is one that found the script to this episode. Pretty cool, huh?
This episode went through 5 drafts.
There is a gap between episode 32 and 34. There was no 33. They didn't have ALL the ideas when Zim was canceled.
Day of Da Spookies
Production Number: 35A
Status: Script
Written by: Jhonen Vasquez, Rob Hummel
Zim, GIR, Skoodge, and Minimoose put on cloaking devices, and spook out Dib.
Skoodge realizes the Tallest hate him, and he joins Zim.
Skoodge's cloaking device was a sheet with holes in it.
10 Minutes To Doom
Production Number: 35B
Status: Script
Written by: Rob Hummel
Zim loses his Pak, which is needed for him to survive. If he doesn't get it back in 10 minutes, he will die. Dib does all he can to keep Zim from putting it back on.
When Zim was canceled, the crew wanted to finish this episode to an ending with Zim dying and mark that as the series finale, but Nick didn't allow it, just incase they renewed the show. Note that the original ending had Zim living. He does live in the script.
It Feeds on Noodles
Production Number: 36A
Status: Outline
Zim becomes a vampire that must feed on Chinese food, with chopsticks and fangs.
No, I'm not kidding.
Pants!
Production Number: 36B
Status: Outline
A pair of alien pants invade Earth. Whoever wears the pants becomes alien weapons.
This episode was scrapped before cancelation because Nick thought it resembled the Jimmy Neutron episode "When Pants Attack."
Squishy: Hugger of Worlds
Production Number: 38
Status: Half of a script
Written by: Eric Trueheart, Rosearik Rikki Simons
A gigantic alien named Squishy invades Earth. Well...only to hug it. He just LOVES to hug planets. Zim and Dib must team up to destroy Squishy for their own seperate reasons.
Notice there is a gap between 36 and 38. There was no 37. The crew hadn't thought of all the episodes yet.
[untitled] - Part 1
Production Number: 39
Status: Outline
Part 1 of a 2-part season finale. Meekrob discover Invader Tenn, and hold her hostage. The Tallest must rescue her. All the Invaders must help, actually. Except Zim. But Skoodge is invited. But the Tallest don't know Skoodge is on Earth with Zim, and Skoodge would get in trouble. So Zim goes, and causes a war to begin.
At the time of cancelation, this episode did not have an official title. However, the fanbase has named it "Battle for Meekrob."
[untitled] - Part 2
Production Number: 40
Status: Outline
Part 2 of a 2-part season finale. The war has begun. Other races of aliens begin to fight against the Irkens, including the Resisty from Backseat Drivers from Beyond the Stars. Dib wonders about Zim being gone, and begins to explore his base and finds out about the war. Skoodge frees Tenn. They escape, and Zim is left. Dib arrives (probably by using the Dib Ship), and begins to fight against the Irkens as well. Dib is named ambassador for Meekrob, and Zim is doomed.
Invader Dib
TV Movie
Status: Outline
With the Meekrob's help, Dib goes to Irk and takes over it, and destroys the Irken race.
This was a planned TV movie as the series finale at the end of season 5 if Nick had them go on that long.
