In 1999, a massive alien vessel crashed onto South Ataria Island. Human efforts to restore the craft were hampered by political disputes surrounding the Macross, sparking a global conflict. Ten years later, the Unification Wars had ended, the Earth United Nations Government had been established, and the Macross was finally finished. During its launch ceremony, the main cannon fired autonomously, annihilating an alien ship. That day became the starting point of the war between the humans aboard the Macross and the Zentradi, a race of towering humanoid aliens.