Mahiro Takasugi:Anne and Jun Kunimura will play the brother and sister roles, and Jun Kunimura will play the father. Cast of the drama series "W BLOOD & SWEAT" has been revealed and stills have also been released.

The cast of the Japan-Finland co-production drama W: Blood & Sweat, starring actress Anne alongside popular Finnish actor Jasper Pääkönen, was announced on February 22nd, revealing that Takasugi Mahiro will play Suzumiya Ryuji, the younger brother of Suzumiya Aki, a detective in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's First Investigative Division, played by Anne. Kunimura Jun will play the two's father. Stills have also been released.

The drama is WOWOW's new overseas project, following the much talked about WOWOW/Hollywood co-production "TOKYO VICE." It is a co-production between Japanese production company AX-ON and Finnish production company ICS. Two detectives from Japan and Finland team up across a distance of approximately 7,800 kilometers to investigate a bizarre murder case that occurred in both countries. They discover an unimaginable truth.

Ryuji, played by Takasugi, is a character who, unlike himself who values the organization, is somewhat envious of Aki, who is willing to do anything to uncover the truth, and harbors some complexes about her. At the request of his father, Tokuro Suzumiya, a former head of the Public Security Bureau played by Kunimura, Ryuji is reluctantly assigned to the First Investigation Division and is tasked with leading the investigation in Japan.

Tokuro still wields great influence over the police higher-ups. A strict man who values the traditions of the Suzumiya family, he has often stood in the way of Aki, who refuses to do as he pleases. He is particularly vehemently opposed to Aki going to Finland, but what is the reason for this?

It has also been revealed that Hamada Gaku will play Takagi Keisuke, a detective in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's First Investigative Division, where Aki works; Tokito Yuki will play Masatada, an army major sent to Finland to conduct espionage activities against the Soviet army during World War II; and Saotome Taichi will play Tanaka Hirofumi, a Japanese interpreter arranged for Aki by the Finnish police.

Other cast members also announced include Seiji Fukushi, Kanji Furutachi, Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Kenji Iwatani, Mikko Nousiainen, Alina Tomnikov, Elias Salonen, Merlin Rose, Zephan Smith-Gneist, and Antti Raini.

It will be broadcast and streamed on WOWOW Prime and WOWOW On Demand from April 5th (Sundays at 10pm, 8 episodes in total, first episode will be broadcast and streamed for free).

The cast's comments are as follows:

◇Comment from Gaku Hamada, who plays Keisuke Takagi

I remember being excited at the thought of creating a work with the people of Finland.

Through this shoot, I was reminded once again how important it is to act from your heart.

The scale of this work and the fact that the Finnish staff captured the familiar Japanese scenery makes it a very fresh drama.

I hope you enjoy it.

◇Comment from Takasugi Mahiro, who plays Suzumiya Ryuji

When I heard that it was a collaboration with Finland, I wondered what kind of film it would be, and was surprised to find that it was a series of unexpected developments.

Suzumiya Ryuji is the younger brother of Aki Suzumiya, played by Anne.

Ryuji is an excellent character, but he is also a character who is burdened with a lot of responsibility and pressure.

Ryuji's way of life changes when he teams up with Takagi Keisuke, played by Hamada Gaku.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the film and seeing how the visuals, actors, and staff all came together to create a story that is completely unpredictable!

◇Comment from Tokito Yuki, who plays Masatada

Even before filming began, I was really looking forward to being able to take part in such a challenging and exciting project.

It was my first time visiting Finland, and I was able to learn about the Finnish approach to a production together with local staff and international actors, which was an extremely valuable experience.

Acting in English was a new challenge for me, so I was a bit nervous, but everyone was friendly from the first day and I quickly got along with them, and I'm grateful to have been able to perform in such a wonderful environment.

While filming in Japan, I once again felt grateful to be able to act in an environment that I was familiar with.

During the filming period, I had a lot of communication with the overseas cast members, and I think I was able to convey the charm of Japan!

By the end of filming, the team had become like one family, and I think that strong teamwork is reflected in the film.

I hope you will watch the show while thinking about how Masatada, the character I play, will be involved in the story.

◇Comment from Taichi Saotome, who plays Hirofumi Tanaka

I was honestly happy to be asked to take part in a drama co-produced between Japan and Finland.

Most of the filming took place in Finland, so I was stimulated every day by the new environment and the valuable experience of creating a play with the Finnish filming team and cast.

The story has depth and the scenes give a sense of loneliness amidst the beauty.

I think it's full of charm.

I hope that viewers will enjoy this experience that can only be had through this work.

◇Comment from Kunimura Jun, who plays Suzumiya Tokuro

This drama is a story that beautifully blends the unique mystery of Scandinavia with the indigenous spirituality that comes from Japan's nature.

I believe that by bringing together the Finnish and Japanese staff and actors, we have been able to create a form of entertainment never before seen.

◇Comment from Mikko Nousiainen, who plays Niko Salonen

"BLOOD & SWEAT" was an extremely rewarding project. What was particularly striking was that the story was based on the cultures of two countries. While we had to pay attention to even the smallest nuances on set, we also had the opportunity to discuss the content in depth. I believe that these exchanges sharpened the production process and provided new insights. This is a cross-cultural project, with meticulously crafted scenes and dialogue, so I hope it will touch the hearts of viewers.

◇Comment from Alina Tomnikov, who plays Katrina Salmi

I was very happy to be able to take part in a new and special work. It was my first time playing a detective, but I was very drawn to the fact that it wasn't a typical, stereotypical detective role, but a character who was carrying a lot of pressure in his heart due to his job. My conversation with the police supervisor left a strong impression on me.

◇Comment from Elias Salonen, who plays Veri

It was both meaningful and stimulating to be able to take part in the production of "BLOOD & SWEAT." The collaboration between Finland and Japan is what gives the show its unique charm, and I was deeply moved to see the differences in culture and working styles blend together in the process of creating the story. I had a lot of fun filming in Japan. Working with the Japanese staff was also a valuable experience, as it allowed me to learn about the Japanese way of working. I have truly fallen in love with Japan, and I hope to return soon. I hope that through this drama, Japanese viewers will have the experience of traveling to Finland and be moved by the same charm of Japan that I felt during filming.

◇Comment from Merlin Rose, who plays Lucas

It was a wonderful experience to be able to take part in this project, which tells a story that transcends countries and cultures. (For me, who is originally from Germany) I was very happy to be able to take part in filming in both Finland and Japan. It was refreshing to be exposed to the differences in filming styles between the two countries, and I also felt the warmth that is common to both countries. The staff from both countries were very professional and it was a pleasure to work with them. I was very impressed by the wonderful locations we were able to film in both Japan and Finland.

◇Comment from Zephan Smith-Gneist, who plays Zetter

It was a truly wonderful experience to be part of a Finnish-Japanese co-production and film in Finland. I will never forget the beautiful scenery and seeing the Northern Lights for the first time. Filming in Finland was very intense and sometimes challenging, but also very enjoyable. I loved the relaxed and comfortable atmosphere of the team. I was also touched by the adorable way the staff tried to pronounce my name correctly. I hope that everyone in Japan enjoys this film and feels the same excitement we felt on set. This story has been created with care and love, and I hope that this feeling reaches everyone.