Threatened with extinction by the alien Zentradi, humanity secured its future by launching fleets of colony ships into space. In *Macross Frontier*, high‑school student Saotome Alto’s life is forever altered when the fleet is suddenly attacked by mysterious creatures while he performs aerial stunts for a concert by the popular idol Sheryl. Alto is thrust into the cockpit of a new‑model fighter, fighting to protect Ranka Lee, a girl he met only hours earlier, from the invaders’ destruction. Impressed by his performance, the private military company S.M.S. Skull Squadron invites him to join their ranks.