The movie is a condensed version of the Macross series. The storyline of the movie does not fit into the Macross continuity, but within the Macross universe, it is a popular movie (ie. a movie within a television series). In Macross tradition, it features transforming mecha, pop music, and a love triangle. The movie gets its name from its romantic themes and also by the song sung during its climatic battle sequence by Lynn Minmay (voiced by Mari Iijima).
The plot revolves around Hikaru Ichijyo, a hotshot pilot, and his love triangle with the coquettish pop-star Lynn Minmay and and the fortress' first mate Misa Hayase. This story is framed by a war between humans and the alien Zentraedi over possession of the space fortress Macross, which harbors tens of thousands of human civilians after the aliens bombarded Earth. However, it is revealed that the all-male Zentraedi are fighting a war against their female counterparts: the Meltrandi; both genders, emotionlessly bred for war, are stricken by their contact with Protoculture (human culture), most particularly music.
The movie is perhaps best noted for its well-executed animation and character design and its pop soundtrack. It has been infamously dubbed into English as Clash of the Bionoids.