Love Is A Poison – Series Review & Ending Explained

Episode 1

Episode 1 Review

Oh, I'm intrigued! Haruto begins as a random guy at the bar. He seems charming and flirty, but something is unsettling about him. By the end of the episode, his sinister intentions are revealed. Haruto is a conman targeting Shiba and blackmailing him. Behind his innocent smile, this love interest hides a dangerous side. A lawyer and a fraudster are on opposite sides of morality, creating an exciting dynamic. I can't wait to see how their relationship develops!

When Shiba first sees Haruto's sweet smile, the series portrays his feelings as a droplet of poison falling into the water. The tiny drop of green slowly spreads through the clear water. I love this imagery! The striking visual captures how Shiba is "poisoned" by love. Later, when Shiba falls for Haruto again, another green droplet falls into the water. It shows the growing intensity of Shiba's passion. What a clever way to visualize his romantic feelings. I can't wait until the poison consumes Shiba and he falls completely in love with Haruto, mwhahaha~

Shiba talking to his succulent plants is such an oddly endearing quirk. He presents himself as this serious, no-nonsense lawyer. Yet, he casually shares his mundane thoughts with the potted plants as if they're his closest companions. This habit is so weird, but it adds a humanizing touch to his character. Plus, I love that he assigns a name to each plant: Felix, Themis, and Roy. Did he name them after Fire Emblem? That's hilarious lmao.

Episode 2

Episode 2 Review

Teehee! I adore the scenes where Haruto seduces Shiba, like watching a masterful flirt at work. Two moments stand out for me. The first is when Haruto puts on Shiba's glasses and calls himself "my housekeeper Haruto" with a little giggle. Oh, his flirting game is in top form! He has that nerd eating from the palm of his hand! The second is when Haruto strolls into Shiba's bedroom half-naked, striking a pose in his underwear. The seduction has begun. With every calculating move, Haruto knows how to stir up Shiba's fantasies.

Haruto exudes charm. On the surface, he acts all cute and perky around Shiba. But every now and then, the mask slips. He reveals glimpses of a more conniving side, as if the wheels in his mind are always turning. I love how the actor (Katsumi Hyodo) portrays this duality in his character. With a bright smile and playful mannerisms, he captures the mischievous aspect of Haruto's personality. It's fun to watch him prance around and cause trouble in Shiba's carefully constructed reality.

The best part about Haruto's seduction is that Shiba falls for it! Shiba, the ice king, melts at every flirty exchange. On the surface, he keeps a straight face and responds dryly. But deep down, he's secretly fantasizing about the two of them frolicking half-naked in a garden lmao. "The fruit of the poisonous tree… I wonder what luscious flavour it is." Shiba ponders before biting Haruto's shoulder in a hilariously over-the-top fantasy sequence. Ahhh, Love Is A Poison can be so delightfully camp. It's my kind of BL drama~

Episode 3

Episode 3 Review

Part of this BL drama's appeal is that it reminds me of Phoenix Wright, the video game. This episode's courtroom case resembles a typical trial as Shiba finds contradictions during the cross-examination. Like the game, the series portrays the legal proceedings comedically. The events are silly, the characters are cartoonish caricatures, and the resolution is over the top. I also enjoy watching Haruto gather intel, which shows that he brings more to Shiba's life than flirtation. If Shiba is Phoenix, then Haruto must be his Maya!

I adore the final scene of the episode! Haruto gives his love confession at the campfire. He sounds sincere, yet a part of me wonders if this is a ~long con~. I also like Shiba's response to the confession. He says in his inner monologue, "My heart feels like a marshmallow. It's hot, soft, and melting." This marshmallow analogy might seem silly, but it works well. It describes the mushy feeling of falling in love with someone. We know Shiba is attracted to Haruto, but will he actually pursue a relationship with him? I'm curious to see how this romance develops.

Episode 4

Episode 4 Review

I'm cackling over Shiba's gay fantasies turning into his worst nightmare. 😆 Haruto snuggles next to him in bed, only to roll over and end up with the corporate lady instead. Noooo lmao~ I like watching Haruto's interactions with Shizusaka, using his charm to gather intel day by day. He subtly works his way into her good graces without overdoing the flirtation. His character's ability to manipulate people is incredible!

Aww, the pumpkin carving scene is so sweet! I love the moment when Haruto decorates the garden with jack-o-lantern lights. The set-up is nothing fancy, but Haruto's romantic gestures can make everyday life feel special. I adore seeing a hint of a smile on Shiba's face when he notices the jack-o-lanterns. The slight upward curve of his lips lets a bit of joy peek through his composed demeanour. That's just so cute!

Episode 5

Episode 5 Review

Shiba believes falling in love contradicts his career ambition. From his POV, romance distracts him with irrelevant thoughts. Even when working on a case, he can't focus because his mind drifts to Haruto. "When I think about you, my brain goes numb as if a poison had spread through my body." Yet, the series suggests the opposite may be true. Haruto's rice balls give Shiba the emotional strength to work through the night. Is love a poison or an antidote? Both metaphors are clever, and I love the story's interpretation.

Oh noooo, Shiba kicked Haruto out of the house! Honestly, that's what he should've done from the start. Early on, it makes sense for Shiba to avoid his blackmailer, especially after discovering his history of committing fraud. But after living together, Shiba has grown attached to Haruto. He sees the conman's sweet side beyond just his criminal background. Cutting ties with him now feels more complicated. I can understand Shiba's inner turmoil. From a BL watcher's bias, I want them to stay together forever. But from a storytelling perspective, I'm intrigued to see how the couple develops from this conflict.

Episode 6

Episode 6 Review

After cutting ties with Haruto, Shiba turns to AI technology as a replacement, using it for career help and companionship. He says, "This partner doesn't make my heart flutter. But it doesn't fulfill my heart either." Oh, his quote is so poignant. The words capture his emptiness since Haruto left. Even though the AI recommends fancy restaurants, Shiba longs for the simple comfort of Haruto's handmade rice balls. Stop, my heart can't take this. I'm so sad for him… 😭

At the episode's climax, Shiba rushes to rescue Haruto. However, Haruto didn't need saving. He was negotiating his pay cut with the other conmen when Shiba barges in, unintentionally making the situation worse. Shiba picks a fight with the criminals, and hilariously enough, he gets his ass handed to him. He wants to be the hero and save Haruto from a life of crime, but Haruto ends up protecting him from the bad guys instead. Despite the irony, it's kinda sweet to see Shiba risk everything to protect his man. Yup, that's what we want to see!

After beating up the bad guys, the leads run through the rain, hand in hand. Isn't the setting so epic? Shiba confesses his feelings and pours out his emotions. I love the moment Haruto pulls Shiba down to the floor with him. This gesture is meaningful because it symbolizes equality. Haruto no longer looks up at Shiba, but they're on the same level. Then, comes the kiss, accompanied by Shiba's beautiful line, "I learned for the first time that your lover's smile shines brighter than any starlit sky." Ahhh, this BL scene is magical! It makes me feel all the emotions!

Episode 7

Episode 7 Review

Teehee! I adore Shiba and Haruto's trip to the hot springs. A change of scenery is always refreshing and takes the characters away from the house. My favourite moment is when they start taking couple selfies. Shiba pretends he isn't interested in posing with cat ears or finger hearts. Yet, he still joins Haruto in every goofy camera pose. Seeing a serious guy like him doing cutesy photos is funny. Only Haruto can bring out this side of him, hehe~

All of Shiba's erotic fantasies about Haruto are hilarious. Haruto disrobes, showing off a bare shoulder and turning toward the camera seductively. I'm cracking up! Also, I love seeing Shiba relax around his boyfriend during their trip. At the start of the episode, he seems worried. "I feel so happy. Is it okay for me to be this happy?" Shiba isn't used to dating, but he gradually opens up and enjoys their time together. Moments like complimenting Haruto's appearance or exchanging rings show that Shiba is growing comfortable with their relationship. It's sweet to watch!

Episode 8

Episode 8 Review

Aww, the opening scene is so sweet! I like seeing Shiba be lovey-dovey as he cuddles his boyfriend in bed. He even jokes about getting fired to stay with Haruto longer, which would be unthinkable at the start of the series. Shiba's character growth is incredible. Later, Shiba removes the house rules he enforced when Haruto first moved in. I've forgotten the guidelines exist, but I'm glad the story revisits this point. Getting rid of the rules makes Haruto feel at home, not just as a guest.

I was curious how Shiba would introduce Haruto to others. It's one thing to dote on his boyfriend at home, but how does he navigate their relationship in a social setting? At first, Shiba plays it safe, introducing Haruto as his "assistant" and leaving the ring off. But when somebody antagonizes Haruto, Shiba gets feisty. I love that he chooses this moment to come out, driven by his desire to defend Haruto. He even declares that insulting his boyfriend is a human rights violation! LOL, is it really? He's a bit dramatic, but we love a king who stands up for his man!

Episode 9

Episode 9 Review

I wish Shiba and Haruto's kissing was more passionate. A few romantic moments lose their impact because the characters are supposed to be emotional, yet their kisses don't convey the same intensity. This episode's ending could be memorable if the couple shared a tender kiss in the middle of the night. With that said, dead-fish kissing is still better than a BL drama that avoids kissing altogether. I can tolerate it when a romantic scene is mild-mannered, but I'm far more frustrated if it is censored.

Fisherman grandpa, how could you!? After Haruto begged for your testimony, you betrayed his trust in the courtroom! Honestly, I'm not that interested in the case. However, I've been reading recent articles about real-life whistleblowers who "commit suicide" under suspicious circumstances after they raise concerns about their companies, like John Barnett from Boeing and Suchir Balaji from OpenAI. Their deaths are so chilling that I get spooked by a storyline with similar themes. The grandpa's decision to retract his testimony is sad but understandable.

Episode 10

Episode 10 Review

OMG, plot twist! Haruto's dad turns out to be the villain in the case! The series has teased Haruto's mysterious background for several episodes, dropping enough hints and clues to spark my curiosity about his past. Tying Haruto's family backstory to the final case raises the emotional stakes, making me more invested. It is a cool way to explore Haruto's upbringing and connect it to the legal drama.

After being blackmailed, Shiba's boss gives him an ultimatum. He must either cut ties with Haruto or leave the company. Without hesitation, Shiba chooses to stay with Haruto and decides to quit his job. Although he worked hard and was close to getting a top position at the law firm, he'd sacrifice his career for his boyfriend. Even Haruto opposed the decision and wanted him to reconsider, but Shiba remained decisive. "There's no way I can leave you." Damn, I love his commitment to Haruto! When Shiba is in love, he's all in on the relationship.

Episode 11

Episode 11 Review

LOL. Haruto's backstory with his father is so outrageous. First, the dad killed Haruto's mom, who was his mistress. Now, he wants to kill his illegitimate child too. While the plot is bonkers, I'm secretly entertained by the over-the-top mess. Also, I like how both leads have meaningful arcs going into the finale. Haruto's mom was the victim of a crime the law couldn't prosecute, and Shiba lost the only case in his career due to an injustice. The stakes are high enough to make me root for them to get their redemption.

OMG, the final scene is super sweet! Both leads are dressed in suits as Shiba gently places a ring on Haruto's finger. They share a fist bump, and the camera focuses on their rings touching in an incredible close-up shot. That BL moment is pure perfection! Beyond exchanging rings, the episode emphasizes Shiba's commitment to Haruto in other scenes. "Even if I quit being a lawyer, as long as I have Haruto, I don't care." Shiba is the epitome of sacrificing everything for love. Find yourself a man who values you like that!

Episode 12

Ending Review

I'm cackling! Fisherman Grandpa switches sides in the courtroom again. He changes allegiances every episode and blindsides everyone, which is hilarious. As someone who plays Ace Attorney games, I'm used to the sudden turnabout moments during trials. This episode delivers that same chaotic energy. Even if the case is illogical, I enjoy watching the bad guys get their comeuppance. The evil lawyer's attempt to remove Shiba from the case backfired, ending with disciplinary action against himself instead. His karma is delicious!

The final scene is so heartwarming! I thought Shiba's Christmas present would be a proposal, but he gives something even more meaningful. He offers to help Haruto become a lawyer and cover all the costs. He empowers Haruto to become independent, gaining the status to take on his father in court and avenge his mother. I respect this gesture! I also adore Shiba's final line, "I knew my love for you was a poison. I don't think this poison will ever wear off me." Instead of seeking a cure, Shiba embraces the idea that his love is a poison he gladly enjoys. That's so sweet, hehe~