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.