Maybe it can be summed up like this:
Koshi Inaba is an insanely talented and an insanely attractive man.

Explaining why, especially without sounding like a feverish Inabaholic, is hard. Like B'z, Koshi has this magnetic pull, but it's difficult to pin down. This section is thus subject to constant revision (last revised 4.9.06: 8th? 9th? revision)

Mild mannered and sensitive, with a gift for observation and a penchant for detail, he is quietly unassuming. But he's also an explosive, passionate, uninhibited rock superstar ~ teasing, flirting, seducing his audience with breathtaking intensity. If you guess this makes an alluring combination, you guess correctly.

Koshi is one of those fortunate people blessed with a multitude of enviable qualities: talent, looks, charisma, intellectual appeal, and on top of that, an unselfconsciousness and graciousness. As Tak simply stated, Ko-chan is a "Nice guy deshou, hontou."

A quick adapter
Has a very relaxed character.
However at times, a wave of emotions brings about extreme power
Driving this quiet person to a bold action.
These actions, steadily boost this person higher in life.
Makes a good impression on those around.
But, in fact, prefers spending time alone.

Be With #47, KI Birthday Special

The Voice

It's not for nothing that Japanese music heavyweight Tetsuya Komuro once described Inaba-san's voice as "a Japanese national treasure." Versatile, passionate, and technically accomplished with a large range, it is capable of conveying every shade of emotion. His voice has a particular emotional resonance and honesty and is a joy to listen to. At his best, he's inebriating. Inaba-san is a fantastic live singer. And he enunciates each syllable very clearly, a bonus for the Nihongo-challenged. Whether he's singing something jazzy and mellow, summery and fun, unleashing a scream in a pulse-quickening rock number, or throwing in signature "Oh yeahs!" and "Meow Meows!" and crazy vocal acrobatics just for fun, Koshi is at the top of the game.

 

The Lyrics I once read a fan's declaration that Koshi could sing the ingredients off a bag of potato chips, and it would still be greatly enjoyable. Luckily, he happens to sing not potato chip ingredients, but some of the best lyrics around! Koshi is quite commonly recognized as one of Japan's top lyricists. He makes great use of alliteration and rhyme. In addition, his lyrics have an effortless flow to them that match Tak's melodies so well. Koshi seems to enjoy focusing on little details and realistic episodes of daily life. Generally, his lyrics have a positive energy and optimism, even when they acknowledge frustration and the negative aspects of life. Maybe for this reason, I've always liked his motivational, consoling lyrics the most ~ and he's famously good at writing those. Japanese athletes recount tales of listening to Ultra Soul for encouragement and celebrities remember listening to Wonderful Opportunity in high school. There are yet many, many things in life to live for ~ easy come, easy go! So baby, we'll be alright. Sometimes B'z lyrics are poignant, as in the lonely scenes in the classic Itsuka no Merry Christmas; sometimes funny (working Tak into Koi Gokoro); diverse (writing from a female perspective in Fushidara 100% and Bluesy na asa); and use beautiful imagery (ROOTS).

There's often some English in B'z lyrics, probably because Koshi likes to draft all his lyrics in English first. Now, there's no question that sometimes Koshi confuses us with a splatter of images. I will say this though: he never resorts to shock tactics and he never writes anything overwhelmingly angsty and depressing. As he said in an interview, he doesn't really have anything to get out of his system. A lot of times, he's having fun, working band members into Moukarimakka; or writing sensitive (not sappy thank goodness) stuff irresistible to ladies (Naite Naite Nakiyandara, anyone?).

Since 1997, Koshi has also released gorgeous solo works, proving his own songwriting talents.

Koshi "Fireball" Inaba

B'z are standard-setting live performers and watching Koshi Inaba in concert is really something special. The large stadium and Dome B'z concerts tend to have some pyrotechnics and special effects/stage sets, but nothing too overwhelming and distracting. In any case, 178 is a special effect unto himself. He radiates pure white-hot intensity and throws himself heart and soul into each performance.

At times, Koshi is lost in intensity. Then he'll flash a megawatt smile and proceed to cajole the audience into doing a familiar clap sequence from the early days. Since B'z debut in 1988, Koshi has matured into a star who paces the stage with effortless, panther-sleek authority.

Inaba-san is a unique individual. Coldly, almost intimidatingly magnificent. Then boyishly goofy. He has the appeal of being pretty amazing, under a veil of normalcy. Then there is the fact that Koshi is a rock star who doesn't really act like one. First of all, our quiet, unfailingly polite and charming Sensei used to be a math tutor! Although he can rock with the best of them, he's a bit of a bookworm, dutifully visits his mother, loves to travel, is intensely private about his family, can't drink too much, enjoys solo night rides on his Harley, and has been known to excuse himself from activities to go walk his beloved dogs. He has a certain sweetness of character that all his former neighbors, teachers, friends, and fans say has remained unchanged by megastardom.

Although he is a perfectionist in his work, Koshi's innate good nature makes him the target of pranks and much bossing from Mat-chan and very boring interviews from Tamori (ok, everyone is a victim there). Rock star Koshi also scored the 3rd highest in all of Japan the year he took his university entrance exams.

Every star is made more intriguing by contrasts. Koshi tops the annual entertainers' taxpayers list, yet favors Tshirts embellished with dog drool. He has rapped to both I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus and the furious Kirameku Hito. He has worn hotpants and survived unscathed. He is both dorky and incredibly kakkoii. This charm has been felt by thousands upon diverse thousands, from your average fan to manga artists who surreptitiously slip him into their work, to sumo wrestlers, SMAP, writers, and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler (who gave poor nervous Ko-chan a big lick during during their World Cup performance). .

Koshi is one of an all around overachiever. Everything that he does, he does freaking well. When he draws, he draws cute pictures. When he leaps, he leaps gracefully (see Touch PV). When he speaks English, he speaks it fluently...when he was in school, he didn't even have to study that much to achieve his straight As. Luckily, in the face of unquestionable glamour, adoration, talent, and success, 178 has such an endearing, down-to-earth, humility. B'z are the most successful band in Japan, but there's not a hint of big-star ego around 178. Like Tak, he's very pleasant to fans, and like Tak, he doesn't rest on his laurels but works harder than ever. Stay Green, Inaba-san!