The first three episodes execute a perfect Macross formula: space opera scale, idol singing as literal weapon, and a reporter finding humanity in an alien that shouldn't exist. After that, the OVA's six-episode cage collapses the story into a sprint, abandoning what made it work for rushed resolution. Watch it for the front half's genuine magic, not the franchise entry it wanted to be.

In 2089, eight decades after Space War I, humans and Zentraedi share a peaceful Earth. That peace ends when an alien people called the Marduk enter the Solar System. Their fighters are strengthened by song. Hibiki Kanzaki, a newcomer at SNN, is reporting on the opening clash between the U.N. Spacy and the Marduk when he comes across Ishtar, an Emulator whose voice makes Marduk troops more effective in battle. He brings her back to Earth to show her what life and culture mean. Teamed with Silvie Gena, a leading Valkyrie pilot, Hibiki and Ishtar set out to keep the Marduk commander Ingues from wiping out the planet.