An unusual collaboration between Koshi Inaba (B'z) and Hiroshi Shinagawa has been realized! The music video for "Chateau Blanc" from the album "Tadanosa" has been released

■ “We kept unnecessary production to a minimum, avoided using CG as much as possible, and instead chose high-quality cameras, lenses, and equipment, so I think the MV is 100% Inaba-centric.” (Hiroshi Shinagawa)

The music video for “Chateau Blanc,” directed by Shinagawa Hiroshi, from Koshi Inaba (B’z)’s new album, Tadamono, has been released.

On June 26th, Koshi Inaba released his first solo album in 10 years, “Tadamono.” Recently, he held a talk with former Japanese national soccer team member Hidetoshi Nakata, and the unexpected pairing became a hot topic, but now he has once again teamed up with someone from a different genre.

The person he has teamed up with this time is Shinagawa Hiroshi, who is active in the comedy duo Shinagawa Shoji and is also garnering attention as a writer and film director.

When creating the music video, Shinagawa was asked to give free rein to his ideas, and after listening to all the songs from “Tadamono,” Shinagawa himself selected “Chateau Blanc.” Upon hearing from Inaba that “Chateau Blanc” has the motif of a couple’s “quarrel,” Shinagawa decided to portray the couple’s quarrel that appears in the film not as a pessimistic one, but as an action scene, one of his specialties. He selected actor Kura Yuki and actor, karateka, and nurse Nagano Julia to portray the couple’s quarrel, creating a scene that is original yet ends with a happy ending.

On the other hand, in the singing scenes of Inaba, as Shinagawa said “Inaba-san does not need any unnecessary decorations”, the worldview that emerges from the lyrics is expressed simply, unwaveringly and beautifully. The images that are polar opposites when put into words are beautifully sublimated into a single work when viewed visually as a video.

This could also be said to be a chemistry born from the “bonds” that connect people, as expressed in “en,” a word that Inaba Koshi holds dear in his solo activities.

A part of the “Chateau Blanc” music video, which Shinagawa produced, is being released in advance from the July 20th K Arena Yokohama performance of the currently ongoing national tour “Koshi Inaba LIVE 2024 ~enIV~”. Without surpassing the live feeling of “Chateau Blanc” performed on stage, it adds a gorgeousness and beauty that gives the original production an even clearer transparency.

In addition, the “Chateau Blanc” music video, a spot video for “Tadanomo”, and a digest video for “Koshi Inaba LIVE 2023 ~en3.5~” will be aired on the vision around the 3rd floor event space of “Shibuya Sakura Stage”, which opened on July 25th. You can also sit on the sofa and watch the music video in ZONE A/B of the 3rd floor event space “BLOOM GATE” (free admission). Be sure to check it out.

■ Comment from Hiroshi Shinagawa
I never thought the day would come where I would have the opportunity to shoot a music video for Inaba Koshi, who has been a universally recognized top artist for decades, whose live performances are intense, and who is also a top athlete.
I was really surprised when I heard about this project. I felt some pressure, but on the other hand, Inaba-san is a top artist, so I was determined to make it look cool.
Truly cool people can look good in a plain white T-shirt, but they are particular about the thread and fabric.
Because Inaba Koshi is the best, we were able to avoid unnecessary directing and use as little CG as possible, instead choosing high-quality cameras, lenses, and equipment, resulting in a music video that is 100% Inaba-centric.
I’ll be happy if the fans are happy.