Love Is A Poison – Series Review & Ending Explained

Plot

Ryoma Shiba is a top lawyer at Oraculum Law Office, one of Japan's most prestigious firms. Known for his unmatched intellect and professionalism, Shiba passed the bar exam with the highest score at Tokyo University. He became a partner at 27 after winning many complex cases. Shiba's ambition drives him to establish a flawless reputation in the legal world. He wants to earn the title of The Guardian of the Law.

Shiba's best friend is Kazama, a passionate human rights lawyer with strong convictions. Kazama is gay and in a committed relationship. Although their fields differ, the two lawyers share mutual respect. Shiba sees Kazama as highly competent, considering him one of the top lawyers at the Oraculum Law Office. They sometimes meet for drinks at their favourite bar, Poisonous Tree. The friendly bar owner, Saki, often joins their conversations.

Shiba is serious and diligent. He prides himself on winning cases without developing an emotional attachment. Yet, few can meet his high standards. His ruthlessness and cold demeanour have earned him a poor reputation. Shiba's colleagues see him as difficult and are unwilling to partner with him on cases. Shiba's boss, Iwamine, respects his employee's talent. However, he grows frustrated by Shiba's inability to work well with others. Iwamine insists that Shiba find an assistant on his own, though Shiba's pride makes him believe he can handle everything alone.

One evening at Poisonous Tree, Shiba injures a stranger by opening a door with too much force. The accident causes a cut on the man's hand. Feeling responsible, Shiba checks to see if the injured bar patron is okay. He unexpectedly finds himself charmed by the stranger's sweet smile and calm demeanour. Disarmed by the encounter, Shiba brushes off the memory and focuses on caring for his plants at home. Yet, his thoughts drift back to the handsome man. Shiba tells himself to focus. He has no time for romance and only cares about his career.

Hoping to clear his mind, Shiba goes camping alone. He's surprised when the stranger from the bar appears. The man introduces himself as Haruto and joins Shiba on the trip, cooking tasty meals at the campfire. Haruto exudes confidence and charm. He flirts openly with Shiba, teasing him with suggestive remarks. Later, Haruto climbs into Shiba's tent and gets cozy with him. Shiba feels flustered, especially since he isn't used to receiving such romantic attention. Although he tries to resist, Shiba finds himself drawn to the mysterious man with an unknown past.

Love Is A Poison is one of the most fun BL dramas I've watched in a long time. It begins with an entertaining relationship dynamic between two opposites. The lead is a serious lawyer with no interest in romance, but he meets an attractive stranger who wants to seduce him. As he succumbs to his partner's charms, the lead loses his composure and gives hilarious reactions to the sexual tension. Love Is A Poison makes us giggle at the playfulness, swoon over the flirtiness, and cheer for the couple's happiness.

The cheeky humour is a highlight of Love Is A Poison. It often mixes romantic scenarios with a bit of mischief, from Haruto's saucy banter to Shiba's naughty fantasies. The couple's flirting feels lighthearted, finding just the right balance of sweetness and spiciness. The series doesn't take itself too seriously, and the quirkiness adds to its charm. You may feel amused by the delightfully odd moments, like Shiba's conversations with his succulent plants. These funny jokes make it easier to accept the unrealistic parts of the plot. You'll be too busy laughing to care that Love Is A Poison is over the top.

Initially, you may not trust Haruto due to his unclear motives and sketchy behaviour. He teases Shiba with an enigmatic smile, "Wouldn't it be boring if you knew everything about me?" Despite his mysterious background, Haruto's sweetness prevails. He dotes on his partner so much that his sincerity is evident, easing your doubts about him. As Haruto and Shiba's relationship develops, their romance feels so compelling. The journey is full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and moments of laughter and tears. The couple also has many cute, lovey-dovey exchanges.

Haruto's actor (Katsumi Hyodo) displays a beguiling charm. From his radiant smile to the playful tint in his eyes, he teeters between showing affection for Shiba and toying with him. This fascinating enigma keeps you intrigued about his true intentions. His co-star (Shogo Haba) embodies a stoic lawyer, but he's surprisingly funny and brings a comedic flair whenever his composed facade cracks. While the leads share a strong rapport, their kissing scenes lack passion. Several romantic moments have less impact since the performers seem restrained with intimacy.

Legal dramas are rare in the BL genre. Love Is A Poison has a unique setting as the characters conduct investigations or argue in the courtroom. Despite the novelty, these plots aren't developed deeply since the series has little time to explore each arc in depth. The complex cases must be condensed into a few scenes, leading to simple narratives, shallow details, and silly resolutions. Generally, the story is less engaging whenever it doesn't focus on the romance. Love Is A Poison understands its strengths and wisely prioritizes the BL content over the legal proceedings.

The last few episodes suffer because the plot shifts to the courtroom antics. Unlike a full-length J-drama, it must rush through the events in a shortened narrative. Everything feels oversimplified, almost to the point that the serious storyline becomes laughable. Even so, the finale still delivers a satisfying outcome as Shiba and Haruto team up to maximize their joint slay. The couple also shares a heartfelt exchange, closing their love story on a sentimental note. While it loses steam near the end, I'm terribly fond of Love Is A Poison. My final verdict: this BL series is a winner.