New On Hulu Plus: 07/07/2014

Each day, we highlight the new shows that have been added to the streaming service Hulu Plus. This list focuses only on shows that have full episodes available for viewing and it includes handy direct links to each program's Hulu page (just click on the show title).

Today's shows are all international, many of them from Russia. The best by far is "The Day After," a tense drama about a Russian drug company that is working to create a group of genetically superior people. But when the virus is accidentally released in a subway, things do not go well for the Russian people. The show looks spectacular and the cast is uniformly strong.

Aldonah Zero (2014)
The Knights of Mars fall from the skies. Spurring on their giants made of steel. In order to eradicate the humans of Earth. This is ALDNOAH.ZERO. Creators of overwhelming power have gathered to make this epic tale a reality. Having once worked on the TV anime series Fate/Zero, Gen Urobuchi, writer of supreme skill who plumbs the deepest recesses of the mind; Ei Aoki, who exceeds his viewers' expectations by light years with his visual expressions that are both gorgeous and audacious, enter the ring once more. Animation production will be by A-1 Pictures, as well as TROYCA, which Aoki himself is involved with. In addition, Takako Shimura is also on board as original character designer. The delicate bearing of her characters painfully depicts people living through an interplanetary war. Plus, the mecha designs are overseen by cutting-edge I-IV. As for the music, Hiroyuki Sawano will add an air of profundity. What they are creating is striking action, world-building where no detail has been overlooked, and an almost palpable sense of the terror of war, and personal drama resulting from the intertwining of genuine, earnest emotion. This will be an utterly new robot anime that both sticks to the tried-and-true, yet also is unlike anything seen before. ALDNOAH.ZERO. This show is declaring war on us humans of Earth. You must go out and meet it.

Blackstone (2012)
Blackstone, a one-hour dramatic TV series, tells the story of a community suffering disintegration by its own hand – a result of the corruption, mismanagement and nepotism of its Chief and Councilors; and the parallel complicity of the silent bandmembers. The series begins with Chief Stoney (Carmen Moore) struggling in her new role. Andy Fraser (Eric Schweig), after losing re-election, continues his corrupt behavior by attempting to remove incriminating files and orchestrating an alliance to replace the new Chief. Gail Stoney (Michelle Thrush) is still in mourning over the tragic death of her daughter Natalie (Roseanne Supernault), and ends up in the hospital. The community of Blackstone becomes divided as police are allowed to investigate, then prosecute in a child abuse case. Life in the city serves as a continuous temptation, as the new generation fights to create lasting and substantial change from within the community.(season two only, 8 episodes)

Higashino Keigo Mysteries (2012)
11 stories. 11 mysteries. 11 shockers. From mysterious stalkers, to haunting deaths, this collection of short stories — adapted from famed mystery writer Keigo Higashino — will make your blood run cold and have you checking the locks on your doors. Grab your favorite blanket, and turn out the lights, if you dare! (10 episodes)

Junior League (2013-2014)
The trials and tribulations of young hockey players, their friends, family and coaching staff. (20 episodes)

Love Formula (2013)
An intense drama of life behind bars - where a mother takes the fault of manslaughter for her son. Lies, deceit and greed drive her family into a world of corrupt cops, power-hungry men and vicious women. Can she get her life back on track? (8 Episodes)

Ranetki (2008)
What girl wouldn't love to become a superstar? Ranetki follows the lives of five high school students with a dream of being in a major pop rock band. Witness their friendship, their boy crushes, the drama and the signing of their first record deal. (20 episodes)

Sword Art Online II (2014)
A year has passed since the SAO incident. Kirito receives a strange request from Seijiro Kikuoka of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Virtual Division. He has been researching a strange phenomenon, Death Gun, that suddenly occurred in the VRMMO Gun Gale Online (GGO). If a player is shot by the avatar who has the black gun, they will die in real life as well. Kirito is unable to reject the the request to log into GGO, despite his doubt about the physical impact that the virtual world can have on reality. (1 episode)

The Day After (2013-2014)
In an attempt to create a new race of perfect humans - a drug company unleashes what turns out to be a deadly virus. Now as thousands are killed in Moscow, it's up to 11 individuals to figure out the future of mankind. (8 episodes)

The Secret Agent's Memories (2013)
In the 18th century, the Russian Secret Service recruits Vanya, a crafty ex-bodyguard of the Empress to journey across the country on dangerous missions, uncovering conspiracies within the royal court along the way. (8 episodes)