I had been following the Battle Angel Alita (AKA Gunnm, AKA Gally) for   
   a number of years but it seems to be treading water of late.   
      
   But while looking for it I just came across a manga (later made into   
   an anime I am told) called Claymore.   
      
   The premise is that in a vaguely medieval world, humans are preyed   
   upon by demons called Yoma.  To combat them, they developed what the   
   public calls claymores, cute girls with big snickernees.   
      
   The catch is that in order to fight the demons, these claymores have   
   to become part Yoma and the more they draw on that strength, the more   
   like them they can become.   
      
   So, you have a conflicted heroiene named Clare, and annoying sidekick,   
   good action, some gore, etc.  I am quite enjoying it, but I am at the   
   beginning   
      
   Also, although no sharp killing thingies used by the heroine, others   
   do in the Thai movie Chocolate.  The lead actress is a Tae Kwon do   
   champion who plays an autistic girl who grows up next to a Muay Thai   
   school and picks up the moves.   
      
   It has excellent but extremely brutal martial arts.  Some of the   
   stunts are jawdropping.   
      
   She also has an annoying sidekick.   
      
      
      
    --   
   unmunge reply email before sending   
   Rannulph Junuh: This is getting embarassing.   
   Bagger Vance: Oh no sir, this has been embarassing for quite some time   
      
   "Legend of Bagger Vance"   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)