While you do have a strong point f-14, remember with each new story you bring in new characters. In the Aladdin series, his dad kazim did not appear until the third alladdin film, he did not appear in the first two films, yet the writers brought him in for part 3 anyway. Vitani does not have a mate, and must have one before the next generation of cubs are born. in other words, Kopa becomes a necessity. in the books, hes not in them much, so theres plenty of room for character development with him.