So, story-heavy short series that feature violence, but don't rely on it? Fun stuff. I'd probably recommend Michiko to Hatchin [https://myanimelist.net/anime/4087/Michiko_to_Hatchin] or Samurai Champloo [https://myanimelist.net/anime/205/Samurai_Champloo]. Both are made by Manglobe and feature a small group of unlikely allies on a journey towards a shared goal, on the run from authorities. Michiko to Hatchin is set someplace in Latin America (Brazil, I think?) in the 70s or so, with only two protagonists. SC is set in the late Tokugawa shogunate with a larger group of protagonists.
By the sounds of it, you might also enjoy Bakemonogatari [https://myanimelist.net/anime/5081/Bakemonogatari] or the "Toaru" series, both Toaru Majutsu no Index [https://myanimelist.net/anime/4654/Toaru_Majutsu_no_Index] and Toaru Kagaku no Railgun [https://myanimelist.net/anime/6213/Toaru_Kagaku_no_Railgun]. All three focus on highschool kids with supernatural powers getting into shenanigans. Considerably longer than your preferred titles (FMA:B aside), with several seasons each. Toaru tends to be a tad lighter and hammier, -monogatari series generally feel a little more serious-like. A little.
Black Lagoon [https://myanimelist.net/anime/889/Black_Lagoon] and Steins;Gate [https://myanimelist.net/anime/9253/Steins_Gate] are both solid titles that more or less seem to fit the general idea as well, but SG features limited violence in comparison to the earlier titles, focusing more on the cerebral side of things, while Black Lagoon is all about hammy over the top 90s style action. Also, BL runs for several seasons and it could be argued the series took something of a downturn with the introduction of a battle meido. The engrish is frequent and horrible too. Good series anyway, mind you. (note - I've been trying to recommend anime other folks didn't mention yet, but I somehow missed SG. Oops. Not gonna delete this entry now that I've typed it all up anyway

Kudos on mentioning S&W BTW, that's a great one in my books)
If you're looking for something a little older, I'd probably suggest Darker than Black [https://myanimelist.net/anime/2025/Darker_than_Black__Kuro_no_Keiyakusha] or xxxHOLiC [https://myanimelist.net/anime/861/xxxHOLiC]. DtB has a nice suspense/thriller vibe, while xxxHOLiC is more of a series of (usually) loosely connected stories with less violence. Surprisingly, given the title, xxxHOLiC features no sex, explicit or otherwise.
Also, I've seen someone suggest Log Horizon. Great anime too, if you like it, check Overlord [https://myanimelist.net/anime/29803/Overlord] and Maoyu [https://myanimelist.net/anime/14833/Maoyuu_Maou_Yuusha]. The former, much like Log Horizon, sees an avid player getting stuck in a game, following a similar pattern of research and attempts to establish political power with the NPCs, but with a major twist. Maoyu takes a similar idea of Earth knowledge and technology being applied in a fantasy setting, but rather than being a straight up issekai anime, the knowledge in question is being gleaned by a benevolent demon lord from some cosmic library. Incidentally, if I'm discussing "other-world" anime, and in particular the sort that deconstruct the hero/villain dynamics, I would be remiss not to mention Hataraku Maou-sama! [https://myanimelist.net/anime/15809/Hataraku_Maou-sama]. It's a slice of life anime about a demon lord being stuck on Earth with his general, his world's conquering heroine (and further characters as the cast grows at a steady pace), and his struggle to make ends meet and, obviously, conquer this strange new world, starting with seizing the manager position of the local McDonalds knockoff. It's as awesome as it sounds.
I've also seen Mushishi mentioned, if that works for you, try Natsume Yuujinchou [https://myanimelist.net/anime/4081/Natsume_Yuujinchou], the setting may be very different, but both titles share very similar ambience and pacing. Both are pretty great at what they do too

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