A former space pilot races to save planet Earth from certain destruction in this live action adaptation of the beloved animated Japanese television series. The year is 2199. Planet Earth has been under attack from the malevolent Gamilas for five years, and as alien radiation bombs destroy the environment, mankind is forced to seek safety underground. In 73 days, the planet will no longer be habitable for humans. But just as it begins to appear that all hope is lost, disillusioned ex-pilot Susumu Kodai (Takuya Kimura) receives a message from planet Iscandar. The communication speaks of a device that could cleanse the radiation from the Earth's atmosphere. But in order to get it, Susumu must make the perilous trip to Iscandar and back. Desperate to reclaim their planet before it's too late, The United Nations of Space Administration begins secretly reconstructing the battleship Yamato underground. With its new wave motion engine, the ship should be able to reach Iscandar quickly enough to save humanity. Now, with the clock counting down and the Gamilas getting more aggressive, Susumu Kodai sets out on a mission that will determine the fate of all mankind.