Takafumi Watanabe trained in Japan and at the Princess Grace Academy in Monaco. After dancing with Ballet du Capitole in Toulouse, he joined the National Ballet of Japan in 2016 and became a principal in 2019. His repertory includes Albrecht in Giselle and leading roles in Cinderella and Swan Lake.
The featured recording
Watanabe appears as the assistant / Nutcracker Prince opposite Yui Yonezawa in the 25 December 2025 recording of Will Tuckett’s Nutcracker. Yudai Fukuoka dances Drosselmeyer. The recording belongs to the Tokyo company’s new 2025–26 production, rather than its earlier Nutcracker staging.
A viewing suggestion
Look for how the assistant’s encounters with Clara prepare the Prince’s later role. In their shared dances, follow the relationship between support, direction and response as a way of reading the characters’ journey.
Explore further
Continue to the production and recording guide for the complete credited cast and viewing options, or explore the company and the work. The featured recording also introduces Yui Yonezawa.
Sources
- https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/ballet/the-national-ballet-of-japan/dancers/principal/watanabe-takafumi.html
- https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/news/ballet/ballet-nutcracker-streaming-2026.html
Sources checked: 4 November 2026.