Irken

Irken is a fictional species in the animated television series Invader Zim, created by Jhonen Vasquez. They originate from the planet Irk and form the Irken Empire, a vast interstellar regime characterized by militarism and expansionism. The empire seeks to conquer or assimilate other worlds, often through large-scale invasion campaigns conducted by individual Irken invaders.

Irken are humanoid aliens typically depicted as green-skinned with oversized craniums and slender bodies. They are shown across various media with uniform style and features that emphasize their otherworldly status; physical variation exists among individuals, but most conform to this general silhouette.

Society is organized around a strict hierarchical bureaucracy. The Empire is led by the Almighty Tallest, a pair of Irken leaders who hold ultimate executive authority and supervise the empire's military and administrative apparatus. The Tallest are often culturally complementary yet politically equal, and the bureaucratic system ensures conformity and efficiency across the empire.

Irken technology is advanced, featuring spacefaring capabilities, robotics, and devices used for planetary invasion and administration. In the series, the Irken military uses standardized equipment and weapons, along with a battle-ready fleet and invasion vessels.

In Invader Zim, the protagonist Zim is an ambitious Irken invader who arrives on Earth with the task of conquering it, though his plans are continually thwarted by Earth’s resistance and his own failures. The Irken and their Tallest are central to the show's satirical portrayal of imperial ambition.

The concept has appeared in related media, including comic adaptations and fan works, and remains a notable element within the Invader Zim universe.