I'm looking for a serious manga with a complex, solid, female lead.
i'd like to see an adventure/action manga, but If the mangaka is not exploring a topic worthwhile then there's no point in reading it. I don't want to read something like Naruto, where much of the focus is on fighting scenes and not on the psychological effect of war.

edit
When I say serious, i mean that i want a topic that is thoroughly explored, dense, heavy. It weighs on your mind and encourages you contemplate the question itself.

I'd prefer a seinen/josei feel to the manga. I don't mind it being shoujo or shonen, but in terms of execution, shoujo/shonen manga never seem to cut it. The story might be interesting but the characters tend to be portrayed lightly and the plot straightforward.

Hito Hitori Futari

Your post made me realized i don't read many mangas with female leads... oh well.

Solanin
Omoide Emanon

Both fit and are great reads.

Quote from Oniluap

Your post made me realized i don't read many mangas with female leads... oh well.

Solanin
Omoide Emanon

Both fit and are great reads.

I've read them both and I agree, they are good. I should have mentioned that i'm looking for more adventure or action, but i don't mind looking at other genres too so it's not a problem.

A good character is a good character and i'd like to leave it at that, but after seeing well rated manga dominated with male leads I thought it'd be a good idea to keep looking for a solid female one. I doubt i'd find a female counterpart to a manga like hunterxhunter or vinland saga.

A Lollipop or a Bullet
Tista
Teppu
Gekka Bijin
Six Half
Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
Twin Spica
Pieta
Cat Street

Elitism? If I am not elite, then who is?

Quote from yamaken-dono

Teppu

x10

Best female lead ever. Just didn't think it fit in what I supposed was a request for something relatively sober and psychological... but now that I see action was wanted... well practically anything is more realistic than Naruto.

Not an adventure/action manga, but has female lead with complex and solid character:
Watashitachi no Shiawase na Jikan

Is an adventure/action manga, female lead, has both war scene and some physiological.
Beware: tons of dialogue. Knight Run

Edit : I forgot to add 7 Seeds. Joou no Hana also fit the criteria.

You can try H. The female main character is pretty realistic, just like her male counterpart. The storyline might by times get depressing, but that's part of the complex emotions mixed up and being triggered by their meeting. It's somewhat, like they are exactly what is needed to let their hidden scars break through. Even though it's not an action packed storyline, you will get a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

As for the action aspect, there is Mugen no Juunin. The main character may seem weak in the beginnig, but you have to consider her background and age. With the storyline getting more complex and unfolded, you will see her grow. As for the setting - It's serious and dealing with mature aspects in many ways, so the fantasy parts are IMO rather a well-included side aspect. Also, the artworks will be something you can't overlook.

Last one, that I would have to think of is Blood+ . It will be a nice read, if you can stand the theme and setting. ^^

"It's like love is a bonus in your life. Even without it, I'm just fine. I don't feel like pointlessly searching for it. You don't have to make yourself unhappy." (Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji)

"Why does it rain?" - "To create drama." (Drops (Andou Yuki))

Quote from jedinat

x10

Best female lead ever. Just didn't think it fit in what I supposed was a request for something relatively sober and psychological... but now that I see action was wanted... well practically anything is more realistic than Naruto.

Haha. Realistic probably isn't the best word to define what I'm looking for. It's hard to describe these things; it's that or i'm just too lazy to try.

Teppu looks interesting. Thanks!

Quote from yamaken-dono

A Lollipop or a Bullet
Tista
Teppu
Gekka Bijin
Six Half
Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
Twin Spica
Pieta
Cat Street

A Lollipop or a Bullet - I read this months ago and it was fantastic. I should note that.

Twin Spica is interesting.

honestly I've never considered reading much shoujo ai but Pieta looks good. It sounds terribly depressing right now though so I think i'll keep it off till a better time.

Thanks!

Non action
Annarasumanara
Cheese in the Trap
Cousin
Futago -Basically almost anything by IKETANI Rikako. Her stories are complex and fairly realistic.
Bonnouji
Nineteen, Twenty-One
Watashitachi no Shiawase na Jikan
Nana It's on hold, but one of the Nanas is pretty realistic.

Action(y?)
ES
Gokusen
7 Seeds-many female leads

fiveblithebells.com

I don't have much time at hand, so I'll just post one of my older recommendations for a similar request; I'll add something more specific later:

complex, intriguing main character

[color=#8A795D]"Stories are what death thinks he puts an end to.
He can't understand that they end in him, but they don't end with him."

• Ursula K. Le Guin, Gifts[/color]

To be savoured:

• Blood Alone by TAKANO Masayuki
• Otoyomegatari by MORI Kaoru
• Gangsta. by Kohske
• Seishun Kouryakuhon by AKIZUKI Sorata

Golondrina - more of a sports drama instead of a romantic one, don't be put off by the synopsis.
Mother Sarah - arguably not the most well-written post-apocalyptic story, but the protagonist seems to be what you're looking for.

So I just read a bit of Teppu, since i've got the time. It's not what I am looking for, exactly. The characters are interesting. I liked the main lead. she is hilarious to read and has plenty of potential. Still, the focus on competition and ambition is a bit too simple. There doesn't seem to be an in-depth exploration of a complex topic, where the mangaka thoroughly explores a problem and focuses on making statements about it.

For instance, Annarasumanara explores the problem with pursuing dreams within the contraints of reality. It's complicated because the mangaka doesn't tackle this single mindedly. the question is there and she tries to reach a satisfying answer. She doesn't claim that those pursuing their dreams, or those following what others have done in order to become financially secure, are living the right way or the best way.

so something more philosophical seems suitable right now. something 'heavy' rather than light and breezy.

Miyori no mori
Children of the sea
Dazzle
Orfina
Shut hell
Kaguya hime
Doll star
Telepathic wanderers
Island (KOMI Naoshi)
Mugen dokei
Ann cassandra
Nishi no yoki majo
Basara
Bouken erekitetou
Black rock shooter - innocent soul
Kurozuka
Majo
Japan tengu party illustrated
Skyhigh
:Reversal
Otoyomegatari

As for the counterpart to hunter x hunter would probably be something like Asamiya-san no imouto for character or Chrno crusade for character growth. For vinland saga, more like Azumi for the corruption and Japan tengu party illustrated for his teenage years. Then Telepathic wanderers for his more pacifistic stage.

Quote from Paraph

So I just read a bit of Teppu, since i've got the time. It's not what I am looking for, exactly. The characters are interesting. I liked the main lead. she is hilarious to read and has plenty of potential. Still, the focus on competition and ambition is a bit too simple. There doesn't seem to be an in-depth exploration of a complex topic, where the mangaka thoroughly explores a problem and focuses on making statements about it.

For instance, Annarasumanara explores the problem with pursuing dreams within the contraints of reality. It's complicated because the mangaka doesn't tackle this single mindedly. the question is there and she tries to reach a satisfying answer. She doesn't claim that those pursuing their dreams, or those following what others have done in order to become financially secure, are living the right way or the best way.

so something more philosophical seems suitable right now. something 'heavy' rather than light and breezy.

Well, I think Teppu is probably among the best you can get with the action genre. FWIW Tista is action, "deeper" and also about hopes and dreams.

Elitism? If I am not elite, then who is?