Looking for some.. action/adventure anime? with powerful leads.

[Waldemar]

I just recently started watching anime, so I find myself struggling to describe what I am looking for. However, I have been enjoying some different things and I find myself looking to find some more with specific elements.

Preferences:
Female lead, however, it isn't required.
Revolved around fighting, or at least have strong elements of it.
A magic system would be a bonus, but not required.
No guns, or, at least, the lead not using them.
The lead to be ahead of the arc.

A list of things that I have watched, in order of preference:
Kara no Kyoukai
Berserk
Fate/Zero
Sword Art Online
Ga-Rei: Zero
Log Horizon


Thank you.

[itisjustme]

Sword of the Stranger : Movie, best swordfighting I've ever seen in anime format. No magic. Don't miss this one.

Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal : OVA, oldie but still goodie. No magic.

Darker than Black : Magic system of a sort, great action, great story. Not to be missed along with the sequels.

Kill la Kill : Over the top Gainax thingie with lotsa fighting. Female lead and antagonist.

Claymore : One of the best action fighting series, a lot of female fighters against monsters. A bit more gory than usual.

If you don't mind the shounen genre I think Hunter x Hunter (2011), Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Soul Eater are top of the pile.

(Although I have to say if you stick to the no gun part you're missing out on the great Black Lagoon)

[Obelisk ze Tormentor]

Well, if you can appreciate a more serious drama and not wall-to-wall action (kinda like Kara no Kyoukai), I think you’ll going to enjoy Seirei no Moribito (strong female lead, fighting with melee weapons, etc).

I’m still not sure about your preference that said “The lead to be ahead of the arc”. Does that mean the lead must be smart and able to think ahead than most people?

[Waldemar]

Originally Posted by itisjustme

Sword of the Stranger : Movie, best swordfighting I've ever seen in anime format. No magic. Don't miss this one.

Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal : OVA, oldie but still goodie. No magic.

Darker than Black : Magic system of a sort, great action, great story. Not to be missed along with the sequels.

Kill la Kill : Over the top Gainax thingie with lotsa fighting. Female lead and antagonist.

Claymore : One of the best action fighting series, a lot of female fighters against monsters. A bit more gory than usual.

If you don't mind the shounen genre I think Hunter x Hunter (2011), Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Soul Eater are top of the pile.

(Although I have to say if you stick to the no gun part you're missing out on the great Black Lagoon)

Thank you for the list!

Originally Posted by Obelisk ze Tormentor

Well, if you can appreciate a more serious drama and not wall-to-wall action (kinda like Kara no Kyoukai), I think you’ll going to enjoy Seirei no Moribito (strong female lead, fighting with melee weapons, etc).

I’m still not sure about your preference that said “The lead to be ahead of the arc”. Does that mean the lead must be smart and able to think ahead than most people?

Seirei no Moribito was great. I forgot to add it to my list.

As for ahead of the arc, I just meant a general superiority without trying to specify certain requisites. For example, I don't mind if the lead is hyper intelligent but lacks strength, or vice versa.

[Kotohono]

Katanagatari - Togame a self-claimed "strategian" comes up with the cunning plans for the duo to use to try to obtain each of the 12 legendary swords they seek.

[Sackett]

A Certain Scientific Railgun springs to mind

Female lead
strong elements of fighting
Any sufficently advanced science is indistinguishable from magic
the lead does not use guns
The lead is ahead of the arc.

A Certain Magical Index

Male Lead
Revolved around fighting
A magic system
the lead not using guns
The lead... just doesn't fit in the "arc" of power

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Good dub (if that is important to you)
Male lead
Revolved around fighting
A magic system
lead not using guns
The lead is ahead of the arc

Chrono Crusade

Female lead
Revolved around fighting
A magic system
Lead is a nun with gun... that shoots holy water

Shakugan No Shana

Female lead
Revolved around fighting
A magic system
No guns
The lead is ahead of the arc.

Sailor Moon (obligatory suggestion considering you request)

Female lead
Revolved around fighting
A magic system
No guns
The lead is behind the arc.

Otome Yōkai Zakuro

Female lead
strong elements of fighting
A magic system
No guns
The lead is quite powerful

Read or Die OVA

Female lead
Mousy Librarian meets James Bond meets X-men
strong elements of fighting
A magic system
Lead does not use guns
The lead is quite powerful

Madoka Magica

Female lead
strong elements of fighting
A magic system
the lead not using guns
The lead is quite powerful

[SeijiSensei]

I recommend browsing these threads:
http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=124352
http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=125081

They both cover much the same ground as your request, particularly the combination of female leads and no guns.

[Alawa]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

I recommend browsing these threads:
http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=124352
http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=125081

They both cover much the same ground as your request, particularly the combination of female leads and no guns.

Alas, my identity is revealed!

The username I use for every website was taken on animesuki so I chose a random name from the nearest book at the time. Which, apparently, isn't the greatest of ideas, because you kind of forget your own username and end up making a new account (Waldemar)..

Thank you for posting those. I was trying to find them again.

[Neat Hedgehog]

Originally Posted by Sackett

Read or Die OVA

Which, if enjoyed, should be followed up with ROD: The TV, which is, in very a roundabout fashion, the continuation of the RoD OVA storyline.