The Mind-Blowing Backstory of Nibbler's Mission in Futurama

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Futurama season 11, episode 4!

Summary

The subplot of Nibbler's secret mission in Futurama is the most captivating, introducing a remarkable dose of mythology and mystery.

Unbeknownst to many, Nibbler is a highly intelligent extraterrestrial, serving as Earth's representative and guardian for the Nibblonians in their quest to safeguard the universe.

Nibbler's tragic past and hidden intelligence are crucial elements of his character, which continue to develop in the new episodes of Futurama on Hulu.

Futurama is known for its intricate subplots, but Nibbler's mission stands out as the most compelling. Despite being a minor character, Nibbler, Leela's pet and part of the Planet Express crew, plays a much larger role throughout the show's 11 seasons. These secrets surrounding Nibbler are still being unveiled, adding depth to the lore of Futurama. Discover everything there is to know about Nibbler's captivating storyline and why it is considered the show's best subplot.

Nibbler's Mission In Futurama Explained

: Futurama is making its highly anticipated return with season 11, now available on Hulu. After more than a decade since its previous hiatus in 2013, the show continues to impress with the Planet Express crew embarking on a fresh set of eccentric and exciting science fiction escapades. In episode 4 of season 11, titled "Parasites Regained," the spotlight falls on Nibbler as Fry, Leela, Bender, and Zoidberg embark on a mission to eliminate a species of parasitic sandworms by venturing into Nibbler's litter box. This installment once again delves into Nibbler's enigmatic mission, evoking nostalgia among fans and reinforcing its compelling nature.

Contrary to appearances, Nibbler is no ordinary pet, but rather an incredibly intelligent extraterrestrial on a top-secret mission. The Nibblonians, a peacemaking race, dispatch numerous ambassadors to different planets, including Earth, to safeguard the universe. Nibbler serves as the Nibblonian representative on Earth, discreetly monitoring and assessing all unfolding events. Throughout the series, Nibbler periodically communicates essential information to the Nibblonian Ruling Council, although his specific objectives remain undisclosed.

As it turns out,

Everything Futurama Has Revealed About Nibbler's Species, Language & Home Planet

, Nibbler's initial mission in Futurama has indeed been accomplished. The Brain Spawn, a species of flying brains that annihilate planets, stand as one of the Nibblonians' greatest adversaries. Given their awareness that the Brain Spawn would inevitably arrive, the Nibblonians scoured different eras to unearth an individual capable of vanquishing them. Eventually, they stumbled upon Fry, whom they believed possessed the skills to defeat the Brain Spawn once and for all. Thus, Nibbler was dispatched to guide Fry towards the cryogenic freezing chamber, ensuring his survival until the early 3000s when the Brain Spawn would unleash their assault on Earth, ultimately preserving the entire universe.

The main character, Nibbler, is the sole Nibblonian in the primary cast of Futurama. However, the show has already provided extensive insights into Nibbler's species, language, and home planet. Nibbler belongs to a civilization called the Nibblonians, who are extraterrestrial beings inhabiting Eternium, a planet located at the center of the universe. It is fascinating to note that the Nibblonians are immortal beings, with Nibbler himself having existed for more than 3000 years. These remarkable creatures possess the ability to consume almost anything, establishing them as the ultimate predators. Moreover, Nibblonians excrete dark matter, a valuable energy source utilized on Earth during the earlier seasons of Futurama. Despite their adorable appearance, the Nibblonians possess an exceptionally high level of intelligence, further adding to their allure.

The Nibblonians possess an array of fascinating powers. If the need arises for them to depart from their own universe, these beings have the astonishing ability to ingest themselves, granting them a temporary escape. Additionally, Nibblonians can manifest various psychic abilities through their third eye stalks, with Nibbler impressively exhibiting his talent for erasing memories. In terms of communication, the Nibblonians utilize a language known as Alien Language 2, which is one of the many languages featured in the show. However, most Nibblonians can also speak English and frequently employ it throughout the series.

Nibbler's Tragic Backstory Before Meeting Fry & Leela Explained

Nibbler's backstory in Futurama is actually quite tragic, predating his encounter with Fry and Leela. At some point between 274 BCE and 3000 CE, Nibbler and his fellow Nibblonians relocated to the planet Vergon 6 for reasons unknown. They established a society on the planet, drawn by the abundance of valuable dark matter in its core. The DOOP corporation decided to mine this core for energy production, which ultimately destabilized Vergon 6. The planet's implosion became inevitable, forcing the Nibblonians to evacuate their once-thriving home.

Sadly, while the Nibblonian escape ship departed, Nibbler was in the midst of his bodily routine, resulting in him being left behind. Following an indefinite period of solitude on Vergon 6, the Planet Express crew made their way to the planet to rescue numerous species of animals on the verge of extinction. During their time on Vergon 6, it was Leela who stumbled upon Nibbler and made the decision to save him. Concealing his intellect from Leela and the rest of the crew, Nibbler feigned ignorance and pretended to be a mere unintelligent creature, hopeful that he could be accepted as a pet. After being separated from his own kind for countless ages, Nibbler was finally reunited with the rest of the Nibblonians in the film Bender's Game.

When Nibbler Finally Started Talking & Why In Futurama

Nibbler concealed his intelligence from the Planet Express crew until the arrival of the Brain Spawn on Earth. It was only then that Nibbler disclosed his true identity. However, after successfully defeating the Brain Spawn, Nibbler wiped the memories of the crew, resuming his role as a simple pet. In the movie "Bender's Game," Nibbler resumed talking in the year 3007. Despite not erasing the Planet Express crew's memories in subsequent storylines, they continued to view Nibbler as a pet. Nibbler maintains this role throughout many episodes of Futurama, occasionally breaking his silence in Season 11, Episode 4, "Parasites Regained."

Futurama's Revival Continuing Nibbler's Mission Perfectly Honors The Original Series' Best Subplot

The subplot involving Nibbler in the early seasons of Futurama was undoubtedly the best. Interestingly, this subplot was actually planned right from the start. However, it has been neglected since Bender's Game, with very little acknowledgment in seasons 7 through 10. Reviving this subplot would not only give Nibbler a more significant role in Futurama but also have the potential to establish a broader narrative for the show. Although it remains unknown what Nibbler's next mission is, his conversation with the Nibblonian Ruling Council in season 11 hints at something brewing in the background of the new Futurama episodes.

Catch the latest episodes of Futurama on Hulu, airing every Monday.