7. Distance (2001) by Hirokazu Koreeda
Working with Koreeda again, here Terajima is somewhere between “Okaeri's” Kitazawa and “After Life's” Satoru. Again in a party of 5, he is something of the frustrated man ready to explode at any moment, though it is the scene where his wife reveals her desire to leave him for a cult that sticks in the mind. Cutting a frustrated figure in a blandly uniform Tokyo restaurant, he has just about had his lot of life, though still maintains the need to be polite in public…perhaps the ultimate frustration.
8. Ichi the Killer (2001) by Takashi Miike
You may not recognise Terajima as Suzuki in Takashi Miike's violent exploration of male power struggles, but he is the subject of one of its most visual scenes. Hung-up by hooks, he is Tadanobu Asano's plaything as he performs various acts of torture upon his naked body. Perhaps not Terajima's preferred look, it is certainly an iconic scene that sticks in the mind.
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9. Drive (2002) by SABU
Perhaps not Terajima's finest moment, nor indeed SABU's, this is certainly an interesting role for him to take on, playing a Buddhist monk who finds himself on stage with a punk band performing scriptures to a baying crowd. This is a film full of odd moments and scenes, and Terajima throws himself into it, though perhaps isn't cut out for a career as a punk singer.
10. Blessing Bell (2002) by SABU
Another collaboration with SABU, this time in one of his rare lead roles, though less a lead, he is more a glue that holds things together, wandering through the lives of others, with near nothing in the way of dialogue to deliver. But with an ability to be an everyman, and having taken on a range of roles by this point, Terajima's natural charm can pull you through, as he acts as counsellor to the violent world around him, and us all.
11. Funky Forest: The First Contact (2005) by Katsuhito Ishii, Hajime Ishimine and Shunichiro Miki
Along with Tadanobu Asano and Ryo Kase, this is a collection of bizarre comedy sketches cobbled together with little purpose. And it's a delight. Alongside Asano as the “Guitar Brothers”, you are not quite sure what to expect next, showing silliness, but also annoyance at the world around him. Katsuhito Ishii would also make good comedy out of him in “The Taste of Tea” as a dead yakuza haunting the boy who took a dump on his skull, making the most of his deadpan expression.
