Atsuro Watabe, born in Tokyo on May 8, 1968, is an acclaimed Japanese actor and director. His career took off in the 1990s, gaining widespread recognition with the film *Shizukana seikatsu* (1995), directed by Juzo Itami. For this performance, he received the Japan Academy Prize for Newcomer of the Year and a nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role, establishing himself as an emerging talent. Known for his versatility and the intensity of his performances, he has played memorable roles in notable works such as Shunji Iwai's *Swallowtail Butterfly* (1996) and the popular television series *Keizoku*. His filmography also includes appearances in international productions, such as *Memoirs of a Geisha* (2005), and his directorial debut with *Kotoba no nai Fuyu* (2008). Throughout his long career, he has received numerous nominations and awards at major Japanese film awards, consolidating his status as one of the most respected and prolific figures in his country's film and television, praised for his ability to portray complex and tormented characters.