Legally Yours!
This was an entertaining blend of drama and comedy with a refreshing plot (not a university BL).Ryoma was an interesting character. He is a passionate lawyer with a very peculiar relationship with his succulents. He has that classic tsundere energy but deep down is such a softie. On the other hand, Haruto is charming yet mysterious, hiding his secrets until the last few episodes. Even though it was pretty obvious that Haruto had ulterior motives when he first contacted Ryoma, I couldn’t help but side with him. The suspense added intrigue, but I do feel like they revealed his secrets a bit too late, and what followed after , felt rushed.
The chemistry between the leads Ryoma and Haruto, was so palpable!
Their relationship was beautiful. The way Ryoma risked everything for Haruto and trusted him despite all odds against them was touching. It shows how pure and strong their love is. And Haruto, who initially approached Ryoma for his own reasons, ends up staying and going to great lengths for him. They both needed the calm warmth and unconditional emotional support the other provided. There were moments that gave me second-hand embarrassment, but it was filled with that perfect mix of laughs and swoon-worthy moments.
While their romance had its ups and downs, I do think the pacing of their relationship was a bit fast. But considering the 19-minute episode length, it’s understandable.
Overall, this was a pleasant surprise. Though it has its flaws mainly with pacing and some ambiguous character intentions, it still managed to keep me hooked with its great chemistry and decent comedic moments.
If you're looking for something light and fun, I’d definitely recommend it! It’s the kind of show that’s better binged rather than watching one 20-minute episode a week.
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If this love is poison, then I will gladly drink
A wonderfully wholesome romance and fun law drama with the best partners in every sense. This is a good apple.Ryoma was a passionate lawyer as well as a riot of a human. A delightful tsundere, with his L-like eccentricities and constant overanalyzing of situations and talking to himself/his succulents. What I loved the most about him, though, was his steadfastness for Haruto. No matter who or what tried to get in the way (including Haruto himself), he stood firm and said, "This is my partner."
And Haruto. Haruto at first appeared to be a suspiciously shiny apple. Enchanting, but clearly, something is under the surface. Once he felt safe with Ryoma, though, he slowly let his real self show. His hurt, fear, and overwhelming love he had to give. I adored his confidence, resilience, and unconditional support for Ryoma.
I hate to say goodbye to this wonderful pairing and their little succulent family.
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This review may contain spoilers
Fruits 'n Suits
THE BAILIFF: All rise. The court is now in session. Justice Bea Yeller presides.DEFENCE: Objection!
JUDGE: Counsel... we haven’t even begun yet.
DEFENCE: But we're here, your Honour. We're here, we’re (not) queer, and we’re loud and clear.
JUDGE: Oh, do sit down. (To the Prosecution): Now, what is the substance of the claim here?
PROSECUTION: A JBL programme, your Honour. Love is Poison. We claim that it is another predictable, pointless and a disappointing addition to the canon, and that, though it is often enjoyably silly, in 2024, it feels dated and retrogressive.
DEFENCE: Spoilsports!
JUDGE: Is that a legal ground for objection, counsel?
DEFENCE: It is in the show!
JUDGE (sighing): They don’t pay me enough for this.
THE JURY: Nor us, your Honour.
JUDGE: Alright, I’ll hear from the Defence first. What do you have to say?
DEFENCE: We say, simply, that LIP is a fun, funny, quirky, and delightful BL, that warms our hearts, and fills us with joy. It does not aspire to anything more than that. And it should not be taken to task for not being anything more than that. The entirety of Prosecution’s case rests on what it *wants* a BL to be, not what it is.
JUDGE: And what is it?
DEFENCE: A BL.
PROSECUTION: Objection, your Honour. Facts not in evidence.
JUDGE: Sustained. Counsel, you can't just go around begging the question. What do you mean by "just a BL"?
DEFENCE: It’s a fantasy in which two men fall in love. That’s all. It is governed by a set of well-established conventions, and Love is Poison merely follows those conventions. That does not make it derivative or dull, even if it is predictable.
JUDGE: Alright then. What makes it so fun and enjoyable? What is it that warms your hearts and fills them with joy?
DEFENCE: Two very handsome leads, one nerdish lawyer and one sexy rogue. Workplace romance that is half Suits, half Legally Blonde. A light, almost wafer-thin plot which we can comfortably ignore as background noise. People talking to succulents, succulents talking back.
JUDGE: Wait, wait. What?
PROSECUTION: Yes, your Honour. You heard it right. In this world, succulents can talk, while emitting bright solar flares.
JUDGE: Very well. I'll allow it. What else?
DEFENCE: Well, food porn, of course. This is JBL, after all. Manga-style very loud interior monologues. Insanely masculine. (Or the writers were insanely high on mescaline. We're not sure.) A killer soundtrack. With helpful furigana to sing along. The assurance of a happy ending. And, it is very, very funny. What more could you possibly want?
JUDGE: Does the Prosecution dispute any of this?
PROSECUTION: No, your Honour.
JUDGE: Then why are we here?
PROSECUTION: May we put certain questions to the Defence, your Honour?
JUDGE: Why?
PROSECUTION: Latitude, your Honour.
JUDGE: Go ahead. I need to file my nails anyway.
PROSECUTION: Those two very handsome leads, do either of them call themselves ‘gay’?
DEFENCE: No.
PROSECUTION: Is there a character in the show that explicitly does?
DEFENCE: Yes.
PROSECUTION: Is he handsome, this openly gay person? Is he shown with his lover? Are the two shown in any intimate light? Is he anything more than an unattractive, supportive sidekick?
DEFENCE: No. No. No. And no.
PROSECUTION: Do the leads kiss?
DEFENCE: Objection, your Honour. Where are they going with this?
JUDGE: Overruled. Continue.
PROSECUTION: Do the leads kiss?
DEFENCE: It depends on what you mean by kiss.
JUDGE: I think we all know what kissing means, counsel.
PROSECUTION: You'll be surprised, your Honour. We must be grateful we are not in a South Korean court. But to clarify, we mean a kiss that clearly shows two men desiring each other. Not a kiss in which one man presses his lip against another as if he might catch the plague, or worse, turn him “gay”.
JUDGE: No need to be snippy, counsel.
PROSECUTION: Cheerfully withdrawn.
JUDGE: Very well, do they kiss?
DEFENCE (looking a bit hapless): We refuse to answer that question on the grounds that it may incriminate us.
(The JUDGE rolls his eyes.)
PROSECUTION: Alright. Is there an intimate scene in which, rather than show any body contact, one actor just planks on top of the other, again, you know, because… eww… gay…
DEFENCE: Objection!
JUDGE (at the same time): Counsel! You are on a short leash here.
PROSECUTION: Apologies, your Honour.
JUDGE (to the Defence): Answer the question.
DEFENCE: No, there isn’t. But if the actors are not comfortable doing that...
PROSECUTION: Then they have no business being in a BL, your Honour. Why take on a role where you love another man, if you're not willing to act it? It just reeks of homophobia.
DEFENCE: Objection. There’s no homophobia in the show.
PROSECUTION: We don’t disagree, your Honour. There *is* no homophobia in the show. That is part of what makes it enjoyable. Right? It is pure fiction.
DEFENCE: Yes. So what? Is that wrong? Many of us need that fantasy to escape this world, and we are well within our right to.
PROSECUTION: We take no issue with that. But everything around and about the show is, shall we say, more 2014 than 2024. After all, why introduce a gay character with no individuality, no depth, and no heart, except to support the very straight-coded leads?
DEFENCE: Straight-coded? Are you suggesting the leads be effeminate to conform to a stereotype?
PROSECUTION: Not at all. But the Defence has already admitted to the existence of BL conventions by which LIP abides. Did you not? Would you not then agree that this is one of them? That the leads must, to all appearances and in all aspects, act ‘straight’? One consequence of which is that they can never identify as ‘gay’? And another consequence of which is that effeminate or openly gay characters don’t ever get to be the leads? Besides, why can't the lead ever be an effeminate gay man, when androgynous idols are all the rage in Japan? Or would that be too obviously "gay" for the audience?
DEFENCE: Objection, your Honour.
JUDGE: What is it this time?
DEFENCE: Relevance? Must these people ruin everything that is fun by making it about something grave and important?
PROSECUTION: Might we remind the jury that BLs are, by the defendants' own definition, stories of two men in love? Which makes the question of whether or not they are gay or bisexual more than relevant.
JUDGE: Overruled. Hurry up, counsels. Some of us have to go to lunch.
PROSECUTION: Your Honour, what the Defence calls conventions, we call clichés. What they call silly, we call stupid. What warms their heart, makes us cringe. What fills them with joy, fills us with regret.
JUDGE: Isn’t this all a bit subjective, counsel? What exactly do you want me, and the jurors, to do about it?
DEFENCE: Exactly. Why harsh our mellows?
JUDGE: Is that a legal code now, "harshing one's mellows"?
PROSECUTION: Your Honour, we don’t ask for realism from BLs. That would be an oxymoron. We just think that many of the conventions, as the Defence calls them, or tropes, as we call them, are backwards and regressive. They are exclusionary, even discriminatory. We would also enjoy LIP a lot more if it did not resort to these tropes in 2024, when the majority of Japanese are in support of gay marriage, and when Japan, as a society, seems apt to move on.
JUDGE: What does the Defence say?
DEFENCE: We don’t believe in telling people what to make, your Honour. We just enjoy what is given.
PROSECUTION: But not telling people what to make is to tacitly endorse what they are already making. By claiming to enjoy it for what it is, you are voting for more of the same. For stasis and mediocrity. And it shows.
DEFENCE: Objection.
JUDGE: Overruled.
DEFENCE: Your Honour!
JUDGE: O-ver-ruled. (To the Prosecution): Wrap it up, counsel.
PROSECUTION: Your Honour, we would love to do nothing more than enjoy the same BLs that the Defence does. Nothing would make us happier. But many of these outdated conventions leave a very bad taste in our mouths. We love the cactus choreography, we love the blinding white camera flares, and we all love the strategic towel drop that accidentally reveals the nerdish lawyer’s unexpectedly hot body. We love the stupidity of the BL insistence that every student, lawyer, doctor, be a genius and the best in the whole country. We love the even greater stupidity that they all also happen to be hot, popular, and surrounded by girls who do nothing but shout ‘kawai’, and run around with gifts and flowers to give the ‘ikemen’. (Of course, we won’t talk about how JBLs treat the women in the show, which deserves its own class-action lawsuit.) All we ask is that gay people’s identities be not erased in the name of appealing to the masses, and pandering to the homophobes. We don’t think we are being unreasonable.
JUDGE: Anything more to add?
PROSECUTION: No, your Honour.
JUDGE (to the Defence): Counsel?
DEFENCE: The Defence rests, your Honour.
JUDGE: Very well then. Jurors, deliberate, and when you come to a conclusion, let me know. I’m off to Bianca’s.
Reader's Digest:
DO SAY: The jury's still out.
DON'T SAY: Gay.
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Plot Might Ruin it.
I'm on episode 6 and they're actually trying to put something in the story, which I'm fine with, but this BL was never about story in the first place, this BL is good because it's funny, absurd and too over the top (In a good way) I hope they don't loose this charm just so for the plot progresses. (To put simply this show is actually a feel good show despite the title, and in the anime world this would probably be like Kono Suba good because it's funny. It's very funny if you're not too critical.(Edit) Episode 7 OMG it's still in it's A game comedy wise.
(Edit) Episode 8 OMG it just got even better ahhhhh, this is what actual romcom, Watch it TRUST, ahhhh
IM FROM THE FUTURE NO NEED TO WORRY GUYS JUST WATCH AND ENJOY.
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You're that succulent of my life who has soaked up my dry spell!
This drama is a perfect blend of fluff and comedy with a dash of thrill and suspense. Earlier I was complaining about how BLs were lacking in grabbing the attention of the audience with shallow storylines, but after watching this, I am utterly pleased to inform you that it lived up to my expectations wonderfully.As an introvert, the words I say are lesser than the conversation I have in mind. So Ryoma's inner monologues were very interesting to me, as he finds it hard to express his feelings. There comes Haruto, who has lightened up Ryoma's world while keeping his own darkness inside. It was painful to see Haruto suffering from nightmares and his heartbreaking past. The way they embraced each other throughout their ups and downs warmed my heart. This beautiful partnership has transcended all the hardships.
If you come to the comedy part, you'll see whenever Ryoma starts dreaming of becoming the protector of law, suddenly the music changes to something serious and pensive, but when he stops daydreaming, suddenly the atmosphere gets filled with squeaky sounds of his succulents talking—the transition is too funny!
Overall it's a fun drama filled with emotions and entertainment combined with some serious situations. No cringe, neither overly sexualized nor overly cutesy, but just the right amount of everything bound together to give you an exciting plot to look out for.
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This review may contain spoilers
Dollops of fluff, sure to lift your mood :D
Yummy and uber cute. It's the typical Japanese manga-inspired BL with a lot of cute and funny moments, a format that rarely fails for me.BL needle score: 7.5 - Reasonably Strong BL-ness
The story is about Haruto, son of a evil corporate honcho and his mistress, who he kills, and Shiba, a lawyer who has never lost any of his cases but one, and dreams of becoming the 'Guardian of Law'. But the story is a really peripheral character in this show, the key players are the two good looking leads, they care for adorable manga-ish succulents (who squeak and cheer for them leads), do cute things to, and with each other, eat home-cooked meals together, help homeless kids, and pair-up to defeat the bad guys, PERIOD. This is meant to make you squeak with joy and get that warm, fuzzy feeling, that's it.
I also loved both the title songs, opening-Love Toxin- Wanuka, and ending - Geometric- Osage. They are now both available on YouTube.
Yes, you should watch it, will help lift your mood instantly :D
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It's okay for lazy night.
It's typical Japanese acting when they make adaptations based on manga they can act similarly to how it was portrayed in manga. It's not realistic behaviour but seeing them acting as close to manga characters as possible is so funny. Haruto is super charming and the contrast between them is also visible. Overall despite this series being short and not having some deep story it's worth watching if you've already watched everything that's great.Was this review helpful to you?
Short but fun and well tied together
TLDR: Lighthearted Romcom + Sunshine x Tsundere/Grumpy + “It was supposed to be just another job” x “I don’t have time for love and don’t even know what that is” + a sliver of plot that shows up in the last episodes and lots of cuteness with mature and unique characters with their own little quirks and very nice chemistry.Each episode is about 20 minutes long, so you can watch everything in 4 hours or save these to watch during lunch break since they’re bite-sized and perfect for that.
I’m always very picky in regards to pacing and editing in everything I watch, but even if these episodes are short, they are still very well-paced, introducing more plot points as it goes without tripping over itself. And the editing is not overwhelming or nonexistent. In comedic times it adds up to the moment, and in serious or emotional moments it doesn’t get in the way of it all. So if that can also be a turn-off for you I think you’ll enjoy it!
The lead actors did a great job and gave these characters great chemistry and funny moments, and when it was time for a more serious tone they also did not disappoint. But even the side characters are very charming, charismatic, and funny. And the antagonists are not exaggerated caricatures as I thought they would be. I adore the lawyer with my whole heart, his inside thoughts are always hilarious, and watching the leads' relationship develop was so fun and adorable. I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud, just a full-chested laugh. I really needed something light like this lately.
The soundtrack is not its strong point. Except for the awesome opening and ending tracks, everything else is just generic stock music, stock sounds and basic piano notes to fit the tone of some scenes. As a soundtrack lover, I was saddened to not hear a recurring leitmotif throughout the episodes, but it’s understandable, and it didn’t ruin the drama at all. They did very well with what they had and no sound cue or music seemed out of place.
All in all, I think this was a lovely watch and I will definitely be rewatching this soon. Give it a try! You might fall in love with it like I did.
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Nice blend of comedy, fluff and drama.
I have not much to say, just I was very entertained with this series.The story is of course not the best, but the acting is top notch. The only downfall is the kissing of MLs which, in typical traditional japanse style, is a dead fish kiss. When you can overlook this point, you get a nice blend of comedy and serious elements, solid story telling and some fluffy scenes. Production quality was top notch, intro & outro song fitted also very well and overall it's really entertaining.
So, if you have not watched it and you need something more on the light side, this is for you!
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If you know what's good for you: Binge watch!
To be honest this show is 10/10, my favorite series this year!What you will see:
- original story
- actors suitable for the characters the play (+ very handsome, eye candy)
- not too focused on solving law cases, but still true to the topic
- awesome chemistry between actors, and if you like hot n' cold relationships, this series is a must for you!
- there is novelty (new stuff) in the way the actors carry out different lovey-dovey scenes, which feel refreshing and adds a bit of the feeling: "Wow, I have never seen anyone do it like this before!")
Overall, the series is awesome, handsome, goofy, lovely, cool and kind, a bit serious, and definitely "watch worthy"!
Hope you will enjoy it just as much as I did 💯
Love you all,
atoroklivi
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Cute and simple
I'm glad I was able to finish this drama. For a moment there, it seemed to be an impossible task and I was heartbroken but I finally had the chance to finish the remaining episodes. So I first thought this was going to be 10 episodes then someone said it was 8 episodes which made me sad but we ended up with 12 which was exciting but on second thought, this should have been 8 episodes! It was actually too long!So this show is very simple and average. There is no huge and revolutionary events in it. It's the epitome of average. I liked the beginning better as it started very funny and mysterious but as it went on and the romance developed, it became more like a sketch of a drama rather than a fully developed one.
The acting is just alright for them to get away with it and the production and music and everything else is just enough too. If you want to watch a BL which isn't just a romance and has plotlines that exist independently from the romance but are still not too complicated, then this show is a good choice. It's a really light watch.
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When you didn't see love coming
These are my types of BLs where the one guy didn't know he would be into guys and alas he must give in and fall in love. I can binge on those for days! The acting is great with this series. I love the chemistry between the main leads. I'm held in suspense right now because I still need to see the final 3 episodes. Haruto surprised me with his fighting skills. There was a tear jerker moment there for me when Ryo learned from the kids of his mistake. This will not be a disappointing watch. Japanese started the whole BL genre and I think they can reclaim the top spot. Some comments said this was immature and funny. I do not think so. Maybe if they said invasive, I would agree. Haruto was invasive.Was this review helpful to you?
