Gradius

is a Japanese franchise of shooter video games, introduced in 1985, developed and published by Konami for a variety of portable, console and arcade platforms. A 3-episode OVA based on the 'Salamander games were released from February 25, 1987 to February 25, 1989.

Salamander
The planet Latis is under attack by the Space Dragon Salamander and its war planet, the Bacterian horde destroying everything in sight, their defenses ineffective and losing all hope, three heroes from the planet Gradius join Lord British in defense of his beloved planet.

Then in a prequel, a girl from a distant planet brings an ominous warning to the planet Gradius, the Bacterians and how three people become heroes of the galaxy.

Now into the future after the peace treaty is signed, one of the heroes gets captured by the Bacterians. Can the military might of Gradius and our remaining heroes save the prisoner from a fate worse than death?