The Star on the Ground
The Alliance have developed their own transforming fighter, the VF-0 (or 'Zero'). It first sees action in the skies above Mayan, placing the lives of Mao & the other islanders at risk but giving Shin his opportunity to return.
Aired 23/05/2003EP 2 - The Star on the Ground
2002
Macross Zero
Taking place one year before the Zentraedi arrive on Earth, Macross Zero chronicles the final days of the war between the U.N. Spacy and anti-U.N. factions. After being shot down by the anti-U.N.'s newest fighter plane, ace pilot Shin Kudo finds himself on the remote island of Mayan, where technology is almost non-existent. While Shin stays on the island to heal his wounds, the tranqulity of the island is shattered by a battle that involves the UN's newest fighter - the VF-0.
(Source: Anime News Network)