Mm. Like the title says. I want to read a smart action manga with a female protagonist that is not objectified for once. I can usually deal with the skimpy clothing but panty shots every four panels and during freaking battle scenes make me angry.

What else... I like smart, independent protagonists. I'd prefer if it weren't just a straight-up battle manga. Aaand romance is okay but I'd prefer if it took a backseat to the actual plot. Oh, I don't really care about the genre--it can be historical, fantasy, supernatural, sci-fi, whatever. Same for seinen/josei/shoujo/shounen.

Examples of what I want:
Chang Ge Xing
Teppuu
Basara
Kubera from what I remember...
Gokusen

Please check my reading/completed lists! And thank you!

Otoyomegatari
7 Seeds
Saver
Mahou Tsukai Kurohime
Superior
Claymore
Akatsuki no Yona
Black Lagoon
+
Shin Angyo Onshi The main protagonist isn't female however the female lead is very badass

As far as I remember, fanservice in Kuromihe was going through the roof after a few volumes, so not sure if it matches the request.

Anyway, you could try:
Kiba no Tabishounin - The Arms Peddler

There is also The Legend of Maian, but besides being on a very long hiatus, it's not exactly free of fanservice and the author is prone to messing his works both characterwise and storywise (and this one is actually one of his better ones)...

How about these:

Complete:

Immortal Rain (Fantasy/Sci-fi)
Chrno Crusade (Fantasy/Historical)

Ongoing:

Shuto Heru (Historical/Fantasy)


________________
Must Read Webcomic:
Unsounded

Lists:
Reading
Complete
Western Webcomics

Claymore is the best ( and probably only one ) I know.

Canaan!

This request is way too easy. I turned on action, turned off Doujinshi + Hentai, imput Strong Female Lead and selected Only show results for "Manga". Here are all entries i would give at least a 7/10 to with the one criteria that the protagonist needs to be a woman so All Rounder Meguru, Durarara!!, Hellsing or Shi ga Futari o Wakatsu Made are thus verboten:

7 Seeds, Appleseed, Azumi, Basara, Cardcaptor Sakura, Chrno Crusade, Claymore, Deathco, Gaikou Kakkaku (a collection of stories), Gokusen, Gunnm, Hells Angels, Husk Eden (the word protagonist bearly fits), Joou no Hana, Kaze Hikaru, Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor, Koukaku Kidoutai - Stand Alone Complex (has an official release), Kyokou Suiri, Lodoss Tousenki - Pharis no Seijo, Meteor Methuselah, Psycho-Pass 2, RideBack, Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria (play the game) and Yakushiji Ryouko no Kaiki Jikenbo. This took me 10 minutes and i could multiply the results if i wanted to but i will stick to Female MC, no romance as that is harder.
Some entries include gore, nudity and rape but that is hardy exploitation if done right.
Edit: The one fitting Manhu(w)a is Oldman as i got curious.

Last edited by residentgrigo at 2:51 pm, Jun 22 2015

________________
I also read EU/US comics and am a librarian.
Manga-Masters, My ANN-Lists + Imdb

Hito Hitori Futari Its not much of an action manga, however, the female lead is is rather exceptional and is worth a mention; though I now see that you're already reading it regardless I'll leave it up.
Negative Happy Chain Saw Edge Its short but relatively memorable.
Shion no Ou Again, not much of an action manga, less so than Hito Hitori Futari, but the lead female is again memorable.
Banggwa hu Jeonjaeng Hwaldong An excellent action manhwa with a rather impressive female lead.
Gakkou Gurashi! Not too focused on action, though there is a bit, the female leads are quite well portrayed and likable.
Shinazu no Ryouken Strong female lead, and while she doesn't have too great of a screen time earlier on, due to establishing the world taking place, when she receives screen time she is quite competent.
Kurokami Its been awhile since I've read this, but I remember the female lead to be quite strong. I don't believe it has any significant fanservice though it has an ecchi tag.
Innocent (SAKAMOTO Shinichi) An excellent manga with a strong female lead that, to my memory, doesn't take any significant screen time over the male lead until a good amount of chapters in; she's quite something when she's on screen though. This is once again not an action manga. [This is a rather mature manga]
Yuureitou Another non-action manga; though the female lead is quite smart and independent.
Sprite Non-action manga, but rather interesting.
Usotsuki Mi-kun to Kowareta Ma-chan - Totteoki no Uso Yet another non-action manga, but I quite like this manga and the female lead is certainly memorable.

I was going to mention Ichi, however, I noticed you're reading but I will mention it for anyone else.

Sorry for the significant amount of non-action manga that I recommended; thought I had more action female leads, and when I saw Ichi I was compelled to reply.

Tokage A cursed soul, unable to rejoin the reincarnation cycle.
Tetsuwan Girl Historical-sports manga about baseball. Not listed as action, but feels like it. Reminds me of Teppu a bit.
Mrs. Seonnyeo A former female gangster tries to live quietly.
Subaru More drama than action, but the MC is strong, and obsessed with dance. Everything is literally ALL about dance. Some beautiful art, but the MC can be frustrating with her ridiculous choices and childish attitude.

They're all entirely scanslated.