Ressurecting this thread in the name of justice.

Sarah Maclachlan Stupid reminds me some much of Juri/Shiori:



And Katatonia's The Part makes me think of Anthy at the end of the series speaking to Akio:



Lyrics:
In the weak light
I saw you becoming the lie
Taking it all for granted
Like freedom
It's something you'll never have

Forget what's said
And hear me sing to you
How I've set out to kill my soul
The nightward ways
The labour it brings
The verdict that I came for
Migration's song

Patterns of death overwhelms
Fixation rise
I came along the way
And came to a conclusion
The indifferent sky
Is made of lead and so beautiful
Submission
Come you will

The parting
End origin
Fade into earth

Times ablaze
Under the flags we chose
Denied my step and froze my heart
Yet I stare
With nothing left to do
The verdict that I came for
Migration's song

Take your well deserved step
Into darkness
I'll become your eyes
You have no other
We have to walk along the wire
Trust the one that never trusted you

malna wrote:

I've just heard it for the first time and oh, my. This is truly beautiful. And so Akio. Enjoy, Gio?

Oh my gosh, Malna!  I was just coming to this thread to post Dead Can Dance's take on "How Fortunate the Man With None," as well as Brendan Perry's recording of "Crescent," and here I find you've thought of the same band around the same time!   Most DCD lyrics match the themes in Utena well; these words from "The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove" remind me a lot of Anthy, for instance:

"I love slow, slow but deep.
Feigned affections, wash over me...

Dream on, my dear, and renounce temporal obligation.
Dream on, my dear; it's a sleep from which you may not awaken.
You build me up, then you knock me down,
you play the fool while I play the clown,
now I'm serving time in disillusionment.
I don't believe you anymore..."

The entire Anastasis album is amazing, but "Black Opium" is particularly alluring, and you're right; it works wonderfully for Akio.  I hear Utena's nobility in the instrumental "Return of the She-King," too.

A wonderful song by Shiina Ringo called Shuukyou (Religion) reminds me of most SKU characters,especially Anthy and Akio..

Someone please give me a tasty sweet.
What I really desire is poison.
You know I'm only kidding.
If possible I'd prefer the sweets,
because I think about drinking tea.
I don't mind the cavities.

"stand" "shoot" "even torn to pieces worship to the end"
"don't let the sickness in" "don't hate"
"throw it up" "spit it out " "even if you're dragging walk on"
"Don't look back"

Colors

No matter where I go I can't find just the right cup.
How is that possible when day by day
there are more roads and buildings?
Take a gander at the absurdity of a bottle
you just can't seem to get to the bottom of.

The seasons seem to go by so quickly
the flowers bloom and call the bees to them.
and it goes on like this repeatedly
always bearing fruit and wilting soon afterwards

"stay" "lay down" "Even if you don't understand,
worship until the end."
"don't let the sickness in" "don't hate"
"Take a look" "Take a whiff" "Even if it's unpleasant, have a taste"
"Prepare yourself"

Mellow

No matter how long we search,
we're no closer to winning the suit for longevity.
Why, when we all know that dignity is beautiful.
do we satirize the reasoning of an animal
who admits their loss in tears.

ah a passing shower, the dismayed Bodhisattva
the clouds go and it's sunny again
my mark is placed, when you expect, you notice
that everything is a model, everything is an imitation
and on it goes this daily work.

(just to note that the translation isn't mine,the song was translated by Brian Stewart & Takako Sakuma)