"Space Runaway Ideon: Contact" is a 1982 anime film that serves as a condensed retelling of the first half of the "Space Runaway Ideon" television series, directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino. The narrative is set in a distant future where humanity has colonized the planet Solo, a remote world inhabited by the remnants of an ancient civilization. The story begins with the discovery of three mysterious vehicles—Ideon, a massive robot, and two support craft—buried beneath the surface of Solo. These artifacts are believed to be relics of the advanced Ide civilization, which once thrived on the planet.

The protagonist, Cosmo Yuki, a young colonist, becomes the pilot of the Ideon after the colony is attacked by the Buff Clan, an alien race seeking the power of the Ide for their own purposes. The Buff Clan, led by Commander Gije and later by the enigmatic Harulu Ajiba, views the Ideon as a threat and a potential key to ultimate power. The Ideon is powered by the Ide, a mysterious energy source tied to the ancient civilization, and its capabilities grow as the conflict escalates. The colonists, including Cosmo, his childhood friend Sheryl Formosa, and the scientist Bes Jordan, are forced to flee Solo aboard the Solo Ship, a massive spacecraft also linked to the Ide.

As the Solo Ship travels through space, the colonists face relentless attacks from the Buff Clan, who are determined to capture the Ideon and harness its power. The Ideon’s abilities, including its devastating "Ideon Gun," make it a formidable weapon, but its true nature remains shrouded in mystery. The narrative explores themes of survival, the consequences of wielding immense power, and the cyclical nature of conflict. The relationship between the colonists and the Buff Clan becomes increasingly complex, with moments of uneasy alliance and mutual understanding amidst the ongoing battles.

The film culminates in a climactic confrontation that highlights the destructive potential of the Ideon and the Ide, setting the stage for the events of the sequel film, "Space Runaway Ideon: Be Invoked." The story is driven by its exploration of the Ideon’s enigmatic origins and the escalating tension between the colonists and the Buff Clan, with a focus on the moral and existential dilemmas faced by both sides. The characters, particularly Cosmo and Sheryl, are central to the narrative, embodying the struggle to protect their people while grappling with the overwhelming power they have inherited.