"The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?" is a 1984 anime film that condenses and reimagines the events of the original 1982 "Super Dimension Fortress Macross" television series. Set in the year 2009, the story begins with humanity's first encounter with an alien race known as the Zentradi, a militaristic species of giants. The Zentradi attack Earth, prompting the United Nations Government to launch the Macross, a massive spaceship built from a crashed alien vessel. During the battle, the Macross accidentally performs a space fold, transporting itself and a nearby city to the edge of the solar system.

The narrative centers on Hikaru Ichijyo, a young pilot who becomes entangled in the conflict between humans and the Zentradi. Initially inexperienced, Hikaru grows into a skilled fighter as he joins the Macross' defense forces. His personal life becomes complicated by his relationships with two women: Lynn Minmay, a cheerful and aspiring singer who becomes a cultural icon, and Misa Hayase, a disciplined military officer. The love triangle between Hikaru, Minmay, and Misa serves as a key emotional driver of the story, intertwining with the larger themes of war and cultural understanding.

As the Macross struggles to return to Earth, the crew discovers that the Zentradi lack any concept of culture or emotion, having lived solely for war. Minmay's music and performances, broadcast to the Zentradi, begin to awaken feelings and curiosity among the alien forces, leading to internal conflict within their ranks. This cultural exchange becomes a pivotal element in the war, as the Zentradi's exposure to human emotions and art challenges their rigid worldview.

The climax of the story involves a decisive battle between the Macross and the Zentradi fleet. The humans, realizing the power of culture and love, use Minmay's songs to disrupt the Zentradi's unity. The film concludes with a resolution to the conflict, as the Zentradi begin to integrate with humanity, and Hikaru makes a definitive choice in his romantic life. The story explores themes of coexistence, the transformative power of art, and the complexities of love amidst war, all set against the backdrop of interstellar conflict and technological marvels.