Your whole debate is sort of knocked out of commission by the time Ranma
destroyed six or so swords that Mousse pulled out of his sleeves before
he could even manage to swing them.  Why?  Because it was hilarious
(even ended with "Out of Ammo" coming from his sleeves at the end,
cracked me up).  My point is a character discussion for Ranma 1/2 is
like a technical discussion for Star Trek, can be time consuming and
somewhat fun... but largely pointless.  The people in Ranma 1/2 aren't
even good facsimiles of real humans, and they bend under a will.
Takahashi's will to be precise.  Whatever she says happens, regardless
of prior continuity, and mostly to get a laugh.  Fancy that... a
"Martial Arts Sex Comedy" looking for a laugh.  I have nothing against
character debates... until they hit this list.  
I don't rant often, so forgive this.  
PMasters

"I'm only holding back the rain.  So many raindrops, so many pains.  I
want to find my train someday.  As seasons go past the station." - Tokyo
Babylon OVA 1
/ E-mail at:  PhilMasters@webtv.net /
Web page pending use of a computer!
"...has anyone ever used something alive for a coat of arms?" - The
Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea (Mishima Yukio, 1965) / 
"You see, what you call a cat, we use as armor." - Londs (El-Hazard,
1994)