If you don't know what Lord of the Flies is, it's a book/movie about some kids that get stuck on an island together and go feral. Basically, without adults around to dictate their ways, the children can follow their instincts and human nature, free of rules of etiquette and order, to make their own society, which is a terrifying mess.

The parallel might be a little shaky, but this editorial is looking at the relationship and attitudes of the group as a whole, a bunch of kids on their own island with no adults around. Excluding occasional advice from Jennai and Digimon, the kids have to follow their own instincts and make their own rules.

I think the group relationship in Digimon was done remarkably well. Somehow, one can always tell the attitude of the group, even if they're not actually expressing it. The weary resignedness after many days of travelling. The repressed tension and nervousness hovering in the air as everyone walks in silence after a large argument. The sudden urgency as a big battle starts up.

None of the kids abandoned civility or turned savage - the fact that they had specific goals helped, they knew they couldn't afford to fall apart. Some, like Mimi, came close, wanting to fall apart, but managed to pull themselves together and go off on a useful path of their own.

Everyone pulled their own weight as well as they could.

But most of all, it is well portrayed how awful being in that group would be sometimes. The children are quite different and some have strongly conflicting personalities. Tai and Matt are both strong, impulsive, leaders who get on each other's nerves. Izzy and Mimi are on completely different planes of thought and don't always understand each other well. Matt can be overprotective of his brother who is just trying to grow up. Joe can get on the others' nerves for being a wimp.

These different personalities have to learn to work together. It's interesting to see. They all feel comfortable enough with each other to complain or say what's on their mind. However, with so many in a group, not everyone always gets the opportunity to. Notice how Joe and Mimi's personalities blossom after they move away from the rest of the group!

The group's unity and friendship helps them through anything, but when they're not in a tough battle or trying situation, and just have to live from day to day, that's what they find more difficult. Sometimes there are arguments that sour the mood, or fruitless wandering, or going without food. You can imagine how everyone would get on each other's nerves. Imagine being stuck with the same people every day for weeks, with no way to get away. No wonder everyone tries to split up so often. ^_^.

When all else fails, the kids can usually get along with their Digimon at least. Maybe that's because they're not human, or because they were chosen and tailor-made to fit their child's personality. Digimon tend to talk less than the humans, and don't have such well-defined personalities.

Sorry I'm not terrifically cohesive in this editorial but I just find group relationships fascinating, I'm just trying to communicate that.