Zim and Dib Romance

Zim and Dib Romance (commonly abbreviated as ZaDR) is the slash ship between Zim and Dib from the Invader Zim fandom.

Canon
Dib and Zim are usually portrayed as mortal enemies, sometimes as rivals, and occasionally reluctant allies. As the series progresses, they both develop a grudging respect for the other. It is important to note that Dib, like Zim, does not know that Zim's mission is just something to keep him out of the way, and that he is a disgrace to the Irken population. Because he thinks Zim is actually a respected Irken, he is known to question how intelligent the species as a whole may be (i.e. "If Irkens are so advanced, why is your robot such a loser?").

However, it is interesting to note that they both need each other. Zim needs Dib to be motivated to finish his mission. Specifically in the unfinished episode "Mopiness of Doom", after Dib had given up on pursuing Zim, Zim simply stopped coming up with evil plans because he found it pointless. Likewise, Dib also needs Zim. Paranormal investigation is his passion, and Zim is the proof he needs in order for the world to take him seriously, otherwise they just think that he is insane. In Issue 1 of the comic series, when Zim disappeared, Dib became a complete shut-in refusing to even leave his room. He spent all of his time watching video feeds of Zim's house and places that Zim frequented, obsessed that one day that Zim would return. Both seem to be the only ones in the series who take the other seriously.

Additionaly, in the series there are friendship moments between Zim and Dib observed in several episodes:
 * Parent Teacher Night: Throughout the episode, Zim thinks about Dib, it can be said that only Dib tells him that he will have a bad day in the night of parents and teachers since Zim has no parents, but to the expectation of some fans, one could imagine that Zim thinks about Dib because he likes him.
 * Planet Jackers: Zim goes to Dib's house to get help from his telescope, although when he arrives at Dib's house, he is nervous to talk to his worst enemy in his home, although Gir gives Zim encouragement so that I can talk to him, then Zim, decided, goes with Dib, although this does not give him a good welcome, Zim tells him about the problem he has and Dib only defends himself with a lamp making Zim run. This is a ZaDr moment that fans like, since you can see that Zim is nervous or shy of talking to Dib.

Fanon
Despite being rivals, many fans support Zim and Dib as a couple, nicknamed "Zim and Dib Romance". It should be noted that Invader Zim creator Jhonen Vasquez has stated that he strongly disapproves of Zim and Dib Romance.

InvaderCON is a fan convention organized by Green Mustard Entertainment, Inc. designed to be a 10th anniversary celebration for ''Invader Zim. ''It took place on March 26 and 27, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. Guests included Richard Horvitz, Rosearik Rikki Simons, Melissa Fahn, Andy Berman (Dib's voice actor), and Eric Trueheart. In the convention, Andy Berman was asked at InvaderCON 2011 to shout the words 'I LOVE YOU, ZIM!" for the Zim and Dib Romance fans.