Macross Zero

In 1999, a massive meteorite crashed onto Atalia Island in the South Pacific. Investigations revealed the existence of advanced extraterrestrial beings who could become humanity's greatest enemy in history. Consequently, governments worldwide froze their national interests, established the United Forces, and began reconstructing an alien spacecraft designated ASS-1, aiming to unify existing nations into a single human government. However, at this time, the Warsaw Pact led by the Soviet Union opposed this alliance, arguing that cultural differences between nations should be respected. They formed the Anti-Unification Alliance and fought against the Western-led United Forces. Between 2000 and 2007, both sides engaged in intense struggles across the globe to seize alien ruins and technology. This conflict is later known as the (First) Unification War. By 2008, the Unification War had largely concluded, and anti-unification forces were mostly suppressed. Reports emerged of alien ruins discovered on Maya Island in the South Pacific, prompting the United Forces to dispatch a task force for recovery. Meanwhile, remnants of the Anti-Unification Alliance, also aware of the discovery, sent their own task force in an attempt to recover the valuable technology before the United Forces could, hoping to turn the tide of their declining fortunes. A fierce naval and aerial battle erupted around this small Pacific island. At this moment, the protagonist Makoto Ichijo joins the fight as a fighter pilot for the United Forces.