In some cases, the individuals express their own qualities which complement one another in ways that make the group much more powerful than the individual. For example, the heroes of Voltron express specific qualities which build upon one another throughout a 30 minute episode. The clear leader, Keith, generally guides and comforts the other characters in times of distress through apothegms. This is an archetype of other cartoon leaders, such as Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Optimus Prime (Transformers), and the Red Ranger (Power Rangers) and generally acts as a bastion for the group in tense times. Lance is more so a character of comic relief, lightening the mood of the group. One might look to Raphael (TMNT) or Wheeler (Captain Planet) as a similar character. Pidge is the buffoon, providing a human element to an otherwise superhuman group. Michelangelo (TMNT) plays this role in his group of superheroes. The point being that the sum of individual qualities prove stronger than the parts alone.
Yet, if we were to end our exploration here, the metaphysical reality would overemphasize the role of individuals. One further character exists in Voltron, as well as similar cartoons, which represents the metaphysic reality of the group itself. In Voltron specifically, we have the actual Voltron robot, which works as an agglomeration of the individual lion-bots. The bots coexist in this massive robot, which has a reality all its own surpassing any individual being or machine. The Power Rangers have a similar depiction of the metaphysical reality of their own group as they form the Megazord. In Captain Planet, we have the actual Captain Planet, who acts as a conglomerate of individual powers between the planeteers. Here, Captain Planet is represented as a character outside and above the individuals, no mere ancillary, but a depiction of the group. Captain Planet has his own metaphysical reality as the group of planeteers, even while the planeteers retain their individual qualities. In each case, the metaphysical reality of the group supersedes primacy of individualism, while retaining the role of individuals throughout the storyline. Both group and individual are heralded in each story.
We live in an age which recognizes, and at times overemphasizes, both individual and group reality. Individualism is easy to spot in a capitalist economy, where brands and personalization rule. However, we also live in an age which esteems exploration of systems and conglomerates; for example, ecology, Lovelock and gaia theory, systems theory, field theory, and even the legacy of Hegel. It seems that emphasis can go either way, and such exploration has trickled down into children's tales. At any rate, I believe these examples from my childhood depict the possibility of honoring the metaphysical reality of both the individual and the group, instead of necessarily falling on the side of either extreme. The overemphasis of either side destroys recognition of the strengths of each. On the one hand, anti-individualists tend to discount particular qualities that make the individual different than the group as a whole. On the other hand, individualists dismiss the reality of the group which can and does act outside and above the will of any sole individual. Causality and individual will seem to cooperate in tension when one is not blinded by their entrenchment in either side.
I have been riddled by the problem of the will of the group versus the will of the individual for some time now, and as I watch stories from my youth, I am able to see such issues depicted in both American and Japanese characters. I am excited that I have the possibility to stand between extremes as Aquinas and his philosopher-hero Aristotle did thousands of years ago. Aquinas could see the sovereign will of God acting amongst the wills of individuals in a system of causality which honored both God's primacy, as well as individual responsibility. I hope that with further study, I can leave behind pathological ideas and grow into this tension which recognizes both Creator and creation in healthy relation.
