Looking for a female action heroine who is not an ecchi figure, like she hasn't got any "fanservice" type scenes or a body that's obviously meant to appeal to slavering fanboys - you know, very big breasts or skimpy outfits or the like. (I'm not saying she can't be appealing, but she shouldn't be obviously "drawn sexy" or be drawn like a sex object.) I'm looking for a non-ecchi girl/woman protagonist who has really kick-ass action scenes, like real fight scenes, highly developed martial arts skills or other deadly weapon skills. Everything you would expect from a "bona fide" action hero.

NOT just looking for a female character with occasional action scenes. I'm looking for a non-stop action machine, a hardened warrior with the physique of one - like the Claymores that are obviously strong women. Even if they aren't muscle-women, they definitely aren't willowy little wisps without any developed muscles - they're soldiers, and their arms and abs are toned accordingly. (I mean this in a non-ecchi way, seriously...) Because of that, I'm not looking for "shoujo-style" heroines with flowery delicacy. Their bodies shouldn't look like they could be the main character of a typical shoujo romance, and their personalities shouldn't be like that either.

Also pref. on the "good" side, at least for the most part. Not looking for villains here - I'm looking for heroes.

Examples of what I'm looking for: Claymore and Seirei no Moribito.

Examples of what I'm NOT looking for: Black Lagoon (ecchi female character design), Basara (only occasional action scenes, can fight but not primarily a "fighter," romance too big a concern of the character's).

Please recommend!

Maka from Soul Eater is the only one I can think of off the top of my head, aside from Claymore.

Revy is only slightly-leaning-to-Ecchi-if-you-want-to-be-really-picky. You want them to be fully covered in robes, haha? Skin =/= Ecchi. Haven't noticed the recent wardrobe change in Claymore? Oh noes, skirts!!!

Dangu
C.A.T.

EDIT:

Angel Heart (if you don't mind old school art)
Blood+
Cynthia the Mission (might not be your taste though)
Dogs (one female lead who kicks ass)
Kurokami (don't think it's Ecchi)
Superior
Valkyrie Profile

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Thank you both kaloo and Dr. Love. Lol you may have a point with Revy, Dr. Love, but when I look at her she seems very much like an ecchi character (even if she doesn't have ecchi scenes). The sexual appeal is a major part of her intended character design, I mean I can't imagine any other reason for unbuttoned short-shorts. Or maybe all appears yellow to the jaundiced eye? 🙂

Edit: Thank you v. much for the edited recs Dr. Love! Esp. your link to Valkyrie Profile which looks JUST RIGHT. The others are also promising.

Maybe theses (at least they are not complete villains even if they are not heroes in a "good guy" sense):
Ordinary±
Jormungand
Anonymous (some stories)
Cat's Eye
Phantom - Requiem for the Phantom anime

Senjou no Valkyria - definitely hero

Well, there's no manga for it, but the Madlax anime would fit. She does have a figure and is occasionally in an evening gown, but most of the time she's fully covered and kick-ass.

If you've ever thought or said "Nice Guys finish last" and really meant it, then you should probably read this LJ post by DivaLion. It's incredibly insightful whether you're male or female.

From a bumper sticker I like:
"If you're gonna ride my ass, at least pull my hair."

teppuu?
ray?

heroines from fate/stay night and tsukihime aren't really revealing but they do originate from erogames

Bambi and Her Pink Gun

Ghost in the Shell franchise.

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Mmmmm lurvely. Bambi is KICK ASS. <3 Teppuu looks very promising as well. Thank you so much to all of you, I have a lot of reading to do now but I wouldn't mind even more! So keep recommending. 🙂

Saver
NOIR hasn't been releasing it for a few months though
i think it's exactly what you want

Second Soul Eater, Dogs, CAT

If you don't mind comedy and dramatics then Gokusen.

Bloody Cross Half vampire/angel girl. Rather good swordsman and uses her blood as a weapon. It's slightly smutty in a way, not in a fanservice sense.
Tista A girl who assassinates criminals as her alter-ego, Sister Militia.
Raiders This has two main females that are rather battle savvy. They are rather scantily clad but they're don't do the fanservice bit, the minor females do...it's a shounen.

The anime version of Canaan. Quite a few episodes have been released.

Vampire Wing
13

Not really, and they're both one shots as well...

Dorothea

From the two chapters online it hasn't really been ecchi.

Tokyo Crazy Paradise

Tsukasa pwns

"I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts." -John Steinbeck

Edit: nevermind what I wrote here before.

anyway, you might like 1/2 prince.
although a guy when the action takes up, she really is a girl.
maybe not exactly what your looking for, but it is an entertaining read.

Do but despise reason and science,
The highest of all human gifts -
Then you have surrendered to the Devil
And must surely perish. - J.W. von Goethe