Super Dimension Fortress Macross

The story begins in 1999: a giant alien spacecraft crash-lands on South Atalia Island. Humanity proceeds to attempt to rebuild this marvel, but political conflicts centered around the Macross - coupled with proposals for a one-world government - result in a global war. After 10 years, the 'Unification Wars' are finally over, the new United Nations government is in power, with the UN Spacy as their military arm. It's 2009: The work on the Macross is now complete. On the day of launching ceremony, its main cannon fires on its own, destroying an alien spacecraft in orbit. This automatic action marks the beginning of the war between the humans and Zentraedi, a race of humanoid warriors of gigantic size.

Air racer and stunt pilot Hikaru Ichijo and his 'sempai' (mentor) Major Roy Fokker attempt a daring rescue mission when South Atalia Island is invaded and bombarded by Zentradi forces. Hikaru has his first encounter with Lynn Minmay, a young waitress, as Zentradi mecha begin raiding the city. Meanwhile, Captain Bruno J. Global, Lieutenant Misa Hayase, Bridge Operator Claudia LaSalle, and the crew of the Macross attempt to launch the ship for the first time.

With Hikaru still reeling from the horrors he's witnessed first hand from both sides, events take a turn for the worst when the space folding system of the Macross (a faster-than-light travel technology) teleports it and the city on South Atalia Island to the edge of the Solar system and in front of Pluto.

With the fold systems now vanished, Captain Global and his crew come to a realization that the Macross must make a long journey back to Earth. The civilians from South Atalia Island - along with their shops and homes - are brought onto the ship. Meanwhile, Hikaru and Minmay are trapped within the confines of the Macross. Hikaru learns much about Minmay and begins a new friendship with her.

Zentradi commander Britai Kridanik and his archivist, Exsedol Folmo, begin suspecting that the humans (or 'miclones') are the long-lost 'Protoculture' and send attack waves to test their theory. During a Zentradi attack, Global orders the Macross to "reconfigure" itself to combat mode in order to fend them off. However, the move proves disastrous for the unsuspecting civilians and infrastructure. Roy and Minmay convince Hikaru to join the UN Spacy fleet on the Macross so he could continue flying.

Using a defensive anomaly left behind after the disappearance of the fold systems, and the rings of Saturn to hide the Macross, Misa and Claudia devise a new attack strategy against the Zentradi.