http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/soredemo_sekai_ha_utsukushii/
Not the typical romance manga, but I really love the story development, and the female lead is definitely NOT a damsel in distress ;)
Try Noragami, Hiyori (the main mc) is the opposite of a damsel in distress, it also has its own anime with 2 seasons, though i recommend to read the manga first
Akatsuki no yona is one of the best shoujos I have ever read. (there's an anime too) she grows from whiny to a badass.
Well thats my recommendation, read the first chapter and tell me what ya think if you want :3
kinkyori renai, kamisama hajimemashite, nana, taiyou no ie, beauty pop, s.p.y
Try Clannad After Story and Your Lie in April
she needed a break, not something to break her ╥﹏╥
lol
oresama teacher it's funny and the girl is the complete opposite of a whiny annoying usual main caracter in shojo
Holy shit, thank you guys. (⊙…⊙ )
Akatsuki no Yona! It has probably one of the greatest female leads of all time! I also love Skip Beat! She starts put as kind of a sap but very quickly turns around and becomes strong.
I've been reading too much yaoi lately. I need a break, so can you guys recommend a good manga, where the main girl isn't a whiny helpless damsel in distress and actually does something. xD