Captain Marvelous, Gokai Red, was recruited by Aka Red and made part of the Red Pirates along with Basco. Together they collect the Ranger Keys, which are powers of the past teams they lost when they wiped out the first Zangyack invasion. Joe Gibken was once a member of the Zangyack, but when he was instructed to kill kids, he refused and was imprisoned and was saved from his executioners by Captain Marvelous, whom he vowed to follow after Captain Marvelous managed to get the collar off through painstaking effort. He became Gokai Blue and while trying to steal from the Zangyack, the duo find Luka Milfy saving and offering her the chance to make use her skills as their reconnaissance and infiltration expert Gokai Yellow. "Doc" was recovered when the Gokai Galleon needed to be repaired and he single-handedly cleaned the filthy living quarters and gave the crew a decent meal before getting on with the needed repairs. He eventually became Gokai Green. Princess Ahim de Famille's planet and family got destroyed, she wanted to become a pirate to avenge her planet and eventually learned to be one. An earthling known as Gai Ikari was given the Gokai Silver powers when he proved himself to three deceased warriors. He eventually joined the team when they discovered his skills and vast Sentai knowledge.

The Gokaiger had most of the Ranger Keys, except for a select 25 keys. When they'd ask Navi to give them a new clue to a new 'Greater Power' to obtain, she gave them cryptic clues. Sometimes Sentai alumnus come to them or they would have to find them or come upon them by accident. When the Gokaiger gained the alumni's approval, they would grant them a Greater Power. When the Gokaigers obtained the powers of Magiranger, Dekaranger, Shinkenger and Gaoranger, they gained the MagiDragon, PatStriker, and Gao Lion to become Gokai Machines. Gokai Silver's Goujyujin represented the powers of Zyuranger, Timeranger and Abaranger respectively.

The Gokaiger also received the Greater Powers of the Gekiranger, Carranger, Goseiger, Boukenger, GoGoFive, Gingaman, Goranger, Dairanger, Jetman, Turboranger, JAKQ, Dynaman, Liveman and various other powers that lent them a special attack or move. When the Gokaiger obtained the Hurricanger and Go-Onger powers, they received FuraiMaru and Machalcon. Machalon helps them form Kanzen Gokaioh and provide the Gokaiger with their own Greater Power. Basco had stolen the Changeman, Maskman, Flashman, Sun Vulcan and Fiveman powers and when he was defeated, the Gokaiger received the approval of one member of each respective team. With all 34 Greater Powers, Navi transformed into a door and they entered and received the Greatest Power in the Universe. Its power was to change the whole reality of the universe, wiping out the Zanygack and fulfilling the Gokaiger's wishes. But unfortunately if the power was to be used, the past 34 teams and their members would no longer exist. The Gokaiger were not willing to make such a sacrifice so they had Gai destroy it. The Gokaiger managed to defeat the Emperor of the Zangyack on their own and return the Ranger Keys to their original owners. The Gokaiger decided to continue being pirates and travel the universe.