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> Hey,
>       I've just been going through a bunch of my other Anime series, Ranma
> 1/2 and Urusei Yatsrura, and while I was watching the movies, I came to a
> startling realization which made me change my opinion on Kain, I've
> realized he's not just a plot device. Yeah, you never heard of him prior,
> but when in the Ranma 1/2 series ever hear of Kirin or Toma prior to the
> movies, or in Urusei Yatsura when did Elle or Rupa come in prior to their
> movie appearances? They, directing staff, had to make a movie, and to that
> you have to throw in old and new elements to the story. Whether it's Kain,
> Elle or Toma the writters have  to come up with a "villian" and Kain was
> their conglomeration of thoughts. So, I feel Kain is no longer a plot
> device, but a movie villian.
> Gem


I think the problem with Kain is that he is put there to be a bad guy, like in
many movies.  Kain's motive seems very weak.  he just wants revenge, on any
memeber of Jurain family, how many times have we seen this in a movie?  I do
admit the plot wiht MNE is much more clever, but it's a 
movie that just didn't catch my attention.  The childlike manner of Mayuka 
and Yuzuha is just a turnoff.

Kirin in the first Ranma movie has a even weaker motive, all he wanted to do
was to ge the scrolls, the Ranma crew just happened to bet at he wrong place
aat the wrong time.  th whole plot was to
see Ranma save Akane, for Ranma to show his devotion to her.

so in comparison to Kain, Kirin is just there for show, while Kain did have
some purpose.  Kain is an ominous bad guy who has some grudge and shows up one
day to so some bad stuff to our heroes.  Kain is very reminiscinebt of the bad
guy in Speed2, with a stronger motive.

Andy........