Dib and Zim are usually portrayed as mortal enemies, sometimes as rivals, and, occasionally, reluctant 老友记 或者 teammates. 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 问题 how intelligent the species as a whole may be (i.e. "If Irkens are so advanced, why is your robot such a loser?"). If Dib knew the truth about Zim's mission and his disgrace, he probably would have thought of Zim differently.

Dib:
Self proclaimed 'Savior of the Earth', Dib has made it his sole mission to make sure that Zim doesn't take over Earth.
During the first few episodes, Dib 查看 Zim as a real threat and refers to his being on Earth as a "reign of terror". However, he relaxes after it becomes apparent that Zim is quite incompetent. He still attempts to stop Zim, but does it 更多 for the sake of capturing Zim to prove that he's not insane.If the series were to have continued, Dib may have become reluctant 老友记 with Zim, although it's unlikely. Besides the fact that one is trying to destroy the other's 首页 world, they do have a surprising amount of things in common, such as their being both outcasts in their societies.

Zim:
Egotistical and self-centered, Zim will stop at nothing to take over the Earth, in the hopes of impressing his Tallest. Since ruining Operation Impending Doom I, Zim is twicefold determined to earn the respect of his leaders.
On Zim's very first 日 of skool, Dib immediately spotted him as an alien, causing Zim to panic. However, when it is revealed 由 the other skoolchildren that Dib has a reputation for being insane, he calms down, 安全 in the knowledge that no one will believe Dib on word alone.Throughout the series, Zim 查看 Dib as nothing 更多 than an annoyance, never regarding him as an actual threat to the mission until late in the series. At times, he does acknowledge Dib's genius, however, this is usually followed 由 an insult, degrading him for constantly being caught.
Later in the series, Zim begins to associate taking over the Earth with Dib's defeat; with good reason, as Dib is the only one defending the Earth. In vice versa, he sees getting rid of the child as a ticket to the quick conquering of Earth.
If the series were to have continued, it would have been revealed that without Dib to try and stop him, Zim would get bored and lethargic, losing all motivation for taking over the Earth (Mopiness of Doom). In a way, they do need each other: Zim to be motivated to finish his mission, and Dib to prove that he is not insane.