The film begins
in medias res with the space fortress
SDF-1 Macross trying to evade the Zentradi, an all-male giant alien race, at the edge of the Solar System. The
Macross houses an entire city with tens of thousands of civilians who are cut off from Earth. During the latest assault, pilot
Hikaru Ichijyo rescues pop idol
Lynn Minmay, but are both trapped in a section of the fortress for days. After their rescue, they develop a close relationship. The Zentradi, meanwhile, discover the disruptive effect that human music has on them. Their supreme leader, Gorg
Boddole Zer, suspects that the human culture is deeply related to an ancient music box he has kept with him for eons. When Hikaru and Minmay joyride across Saturn's rings, the Zentradi capture them, along with Lieutenant
Misa Hayase, Minmay's cousin/manager Lynn Kaifun, and Hikaru's superior
Roy Föcker. Aboard a Zentradi ship, the humans are being interrogated about their culture when a squadron of Meltrandi, all-female giant aliens, invades the ship, giving them a chance to escape. Hikaru and Misa escape from the ship, but Föcker is killed while Minmay and Kaifun remain aboard. Hikaru and Misa arrive on a desolate world that turns out to be Earth, wiped out by a prior Zentradi attack. The two officers grow closer, and discover an ancient city of the Protoculture, where the mysterious origins of the alien giants is revealed. In the city, Misa discovers an artifact that contains lyrics to an ancient love song. Many days later, the
Macross arrives on Earth. Just as Hikaru and Misa are debriefing their story to Captain
Bruno J. Global, the fortress is attacked by the Meltrandi. Despite destroying part of the
Macross, the Meltrandi are forced to retreat when the Zentradi arrive, using Minmay's singing voice as their weapon. Captain Global announces a truce and a military pact between the
Macross and the Zentradi. Hikaru and Minmay reunite, but Minmay realizes he is now with Misa. Meanwhile, Misa finishes translating the song. When the Meltrandi return to attack, Boddole Zer breaks the truce and attacks the
Macross. With the
Macross in danger, Hikaru persuades Minmay to perform the translated song. As the
Macross flies across the battlefield, Minmay's song unites the Zentradi and the Meltrandi against Boddole Zer. Boddole Zer is defeated by the combined forces. The film ends with a concert by Minmay in front of the rebuilt
Macross. ==Cast==