At 07:20 PM 5/1/97 -0700, you wrote:

She is a stranger from a warrior tribe.

He is a trouble magnet.

She has been fixated on him ever since he defeated her.  In her opinion
they are already married.

He denies this at every opportunity.

She not only causes him trouble herself, but she's also brought along
other members of her tribe to add to his misery.  (Including a rival for
her affections who can never quite defeat her "husband".)

But, despite all of his denials and his involvement with other girls,
when the cards are down, he'll protect her.

In her desperation to keep her "husband", she uses bizarre schemes and
devices.

So, why is it the consensus opinion of this list that the Ataru & Lum
match is inevitable but the Ranma & Shampoo match is highly unlikely?

Because Ataru loves Lum. He already said so. Yes, I know, according to Lum
in UY Movie 5, he's never said it, but all you have to do is watch the first
UY X-mas special to s it's true.

[Cut scene...]

Lum: Why? Why do you do this? Don't you love me?
Ataru (applying antiseptic to his electric burns): No, I love you.

[End scene.]

Ranma, on the other hand...can't say the same for Shampoo. After all, he's
the guy who passed up both her and Ukyou (Ukyou! Ukyou!) for Akane (who's
cool too, actually).

[Cut scene:]

Announcer: To what do you attribute your victory?
Ranma (topless in Kuno's fishpond): I dunno...Love?


TimeRunner
"I WILL NEVER FORGET!!!!"
                - Ataru Moroboshi : UY Movie 5