Back in 2199, five years after the Gamilons began an invasion of Earth, the entire world has been contested by the aliens' bombs. The remnants of humanity have fled underground to flee the irradiated surface. 1 afternoon, a capsule sent from Earth Iscandar that informs of a device that may remove the radiation from the surface of the Earth is discovered by former pilot Susumu Kodai. The Earth Defense Force rebuilds the battleship Yamato with a form of propulsion system to produce the 148,000 light year trip assured of rescuing the Earth to Iscandar. Within a year, the radiation will induce the rest of humanity to extinction.