# Love Is A Poison

Love Is A Poison (Japanese: 毒恋～毒もすぎれば恋となる～, Hepburn: Doku Koi: Doku mo Sugireba Koi to Naru) is a 2024 Japanese television drama series starring Shogo Hama and Katsumi Hyodo. The series is based on the original novel of the same name written by Keisuke Makino, which premiered on Netflix on September 10, 2024, and on TBS and TVer on September 17, 2024.

## Plot

Love Is A Poison follows Ryoma Shiba, a talented young lawyer who becomes a co-partner at a prestigious law firm after excelling in the bar exam. One night, he meets Haruto, a clever con artist, who suggests a partnership that piques Shiba's interest. He invites Haruto into his home as his "secret partner."
As they work together, their relationship shifts from professional to personal. Shiba, initially inexperienced in romance, gradually falls for the mischievous Haruto, who remains devoted and protective despite the challenges they face.

## Cast

Below are the cast of the series:

### Main

* Shogo Hama as Ryoma Shiba
* Katsumi Hyodo as Haruto

### Supporting

* Kogaken [ja] as Kotaro Kazama
* Aoba Kawai [ja] as Saki
* Ikuji Nakamura [ja] as Iwamine
* Noserin [ja] as Yuu
* Yoshihiko Hakamada as Mitsuyoshi Hachisuka
* Yoshihiro Kurita [ja] as Takayasu Arisuinbo

## Production

Directed by Maiko Ouchi, Masataka Hayashi, and Tatsuya Aoki, the series is adapted by Izumi Kawasaki from the original novel written by Keisuke Makino. The novel was first published by Kadokawa on July 25, 2024, while a manga of the same name was serialized in Manga Park and first distributed on July 23, 2024.
The series is a joint production between TBS and Netflix, which aired its first episode on Netflix on September 10, 2024 and on TBS on September 17, 2024, with new episodes broadcast weekly on Tuesdays at 23:56 JST.

## Episodes

| No. | Title | Original release date |
| 1 | "Ice Elite Lawyer X Dog-like swamp boy. The birth of the strongest buddy" | September 10, 2024 (2024-09-10) |
| After meeting a young man named Haruto, elite lawyer Shiba can't stop thinking about him. He goes camping to clear his mind but runs into Haruto. |||
| 2 | "Okay, Try using me... My Housekeeper Haruto" | September 17, 2024 (2024-09-17) |
| Shiba begrudgingly allows Haruto to stay with him but is impressed by his cooking. Later, as Shiba struggles with a case, Haruto offers to help. |||
| 3 | "Give me a reward for winning - Exposing influencer lies" | September 24, 2024 (2024-09-24) |
| Shiba and Haruto team up on the court case between the social media star and the advertising agency. After the trial, Haruto asks Shiba for a reward. |||
| 4 | "This commotion in my chest is... Contact the beautiful cyborg" | October 1, 2024 (2024-10-01) |
| When a start-up company asks Shiba to prevent a whistle-blowing incident, Haruto goes undercover to get close to the potential informer. |||
| 5 | "Get away from me - Goodbye, Ryo-kun" | October 8, 2024 (2024-10-08) |
| Unable to focus on an urgent new project, Shiba holes up in his office and tries to push Haruto out of his mind but Haruto soon arrives with food. |||
| 6 | "Take back your partner. I want to eat your rice balls" | October 15, 2024 (2024-10-15) |
| Shiba learns that the police are closing in on the criminal group Haruto belongs to. Later, a young man tells him of Haruto's true character. |||
| 7 | "A dream trip to a hot spring. Are you curious about my past?" | October 29, 2024 (2024-10-29) |
| Haruto asks Shiba to take him to a hot springs resort now that they're a couple. Kazama is excited for them, but Shiba can't help but feel anxious. |||
| 8 | "My precious partner - My Fair Haruto." | November 5, 2024 (2024-11-05) |
| Asked to attend a party in his boss's stead, Shiba brings Haruto to the event. There, they encounter a tech company CEO who recognises Haruto. |||
| 9 | "I'll stand by you no matter what - A kiss of victory." | November 12, 2024 (2024-11-12) |
| As Shiba and Haruto struggle to obtain the testimony they need to expose the land developer's illegal actions, Hachisuka appears before them. |||
| 10 | "Haruto's sealed past - The other half of the matching rings" | November 19, 2024 (2024-11-19) |
| When Shiba's law office receives an anonymous letter denouncing Haruto as a criminal, he must make a decision: cut ties with Haruto or quit his job. |||
| 11 | "Undercover Investigator Haruto - If you're by my side." | November 26, 2024 (2024-11-26) |
| Shiba feels guilty for dragging Haruto into his conflict. Meanwhile, Haruto infiltrates the environmental group but soon finds himself in trouble. |||
| 12 | "Trial of Fate - A Holy Night's Gift" | December 3, 2024 (2024-12-03) |
| Haruto testifies as a witness for Shiba's side, but on cross-examination, Hachisuka denounces his investigative methods - and Shiba as well. |||

## Accolades
### Listicles

Year-end lists for Love Is A Poison :
| Critic/Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
| Soompi | 12 of the Best BL Dramas Released in 2024 | Included | |