"Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory" is a 13-episode OVA series set in the Universal Century timeline, taking place three years after the One Year War. The story revolves around the theft of a prototype Gundam unit, the RX-78GP02A "Gundam Physalis," by former Zeon ace Anavel Gato, who seeks to reignite the conflict between Earth and space colonies. The Gundam Physalis is equipped with a nuclear warhead, making it a devastating weapon. The Earth Federation's pursuit of Gato and the recovery of the stolen Gundam forms the central conflict.

The protagonist, Kou Uraki, is a rookie pilot assigned to the Albion, a Federation ship tasked with testing new mobile suits. After Gato steals the Gundam Physalis, Kou pilots the RX-78GP01 "Gundam Zephyranthes" to confront him. The series explores Kou's growth as a pilot and his rivalry with Gato, who is driven by a sense of duty to the fallen Principality of Zeon. The narrative also delves into the political tensions within the Earth Federation, particularly the rise of the Titans, an elite task force formed to suppress Zeon remnants, which later becomes a dominant force in the Universal Century timeline.

Key characters include Nina Purpleton, a Federation engineer and Kou's love interest, who harbors a connection to Gato, and Lieutenant Burning, the Albion's commanding officer, who mentors Kou. The series features intense mobile suit battles, strategic maneuvers, and a focus on the moral ambiguities of war. The climax involves a large-scale battle near the space colony of Solomon, where Gato attempts to use the stolen Gundam to drop a colony on Earth, reigniting the conflict. The aftermath sets the stage for the Federation's increasing militarization and the eventual rise of the Titans, as depicted in later Gundam series. The story balances personal drama, political intrigue, and high-stakes action, making it a pivotal entry in the Gundam franchise.