Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger vs. Uchuu Keiji Gavan: The Movie

Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger vs. Space Sheriff Gavan: The Movie is a superhero film adaptation of the 35th anniversary Super Sentai Series Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger. The movie is part of the Super Sentai VS film series, but unlike earlier entries that paired two Super Sentai teams, it brings the Gokaigers together with the title hero of Space Sheriff Gavan. The crossover celebrates the 30th anniversary of Gavan and Toei’s Metal Hero Series as a whole. The film also includes the debut of the three main heroes from Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters. Its catchphrase is “Space Pirates vs. Space Sheriff”.

Gokaiger vs. Gavan was released on January 21, 2012, featuring characters and cast members from both Gokaiger and Gavan. Kenji Ohba not only returns as his character from Gavan, but also reprises his roles from Battle Fever J and Denshi Sentai Denjiman. The movie opened at number two at the Japanese box office with ¥160,750,000 during its first weekend, approximately 14% above the opening sales of 2011’s Tensou Sentai Goseiger vs. Shinkenger: Epic on Ginmaku. Its total theatrical gross eventually reached ¥520,000,000.

The story begins when the Gokai Galleon is pursued by the Super Dimensional Highspeed Ship Dolgiran and eventually crashes into the bay. The Gokaigers, except for Gai, who had been sent to buy dinner before the incident, confront the legendary Space Sheriff Gavan. He quickly defeats and arrests them despite their protests that the Special Police Dekaranger had already cleared them of the charges made by the Space Empire Zangyack.

Retsu Ichijouji takes the captured pirates to Space Police Chief Weeval, who reveals his true identity as Ashurada, a member of the Zangyack Empire and a descendant of Don Horror. Retsu then reveals that arresting the Gokaigers was actually a plan to expose Weeval’s real intentions. He remotely unlocks their handcuffs and saves them from a firing squad before ordering them to escape. During the battle, Retsu gives a salute that triggers an old memory in Captain Marvelous.

The GouZyu Drill arrives to retrieve the Gokaigers, but Gavan is captured by Ashurada and his creation, Gavan Bootleg. The villains then disappear into Makuu Space.

Back aboard the Gokai Galleon, Captain Marvelous explains what happened ten years earlier. As a child, he had hidden aboard a freight ship that was attacked by the Zangyack Empire. During the attack, he met Retsu, who encouraged him to be brave and jump from a burning stairway into his arms. Marvelous believes that this experience helped make him the fearless pirate he later became.

Meanwhile, aboard the Gigant Horse, Ashurada tells Akudos Gill that the blood of Don Horror flows through his veins. By torturing Gavan, he intends to stimulate that blood enough to open Makuu Space and cause it to consume Earth.

After receiving a phone call from Basco Ta Jolokia, the Gokaigers meet the privateer. Basco tells them that Gavan is imprisoned on the highest floor of Makuu Prison, described as the worst prison in the universe. He warns them not to attempt a rescue because nobody has escaped from the prison during its 2,600 years of existence.

After Basco leaves, the crew encounters Shiro Akebono and Daigoro Oume, both of whom personally know Retsu, aside from the fact that the three men closely resemble one another. The two former Super Sentai warriors explain that the Battle Kenya and Denzi Blue Ranger Keys can be used to open a portal into Makuu Space.

Using the two keys, the Gokaigers enter Makuu Space and break into Makuu Prison. Inside, they encounter several former enemies who have been imprisoned by the Zangyack Empire, including two unnamed Alienizers, Jerashid, Kegaleshia, Yogostein, Kitaneidas, Shizuka of the Wind, Gekkou of Illusions, Bae, Yatsudenwani, and Vancuria.

The commotion between the Gokaigers and the imprisoned villains attracts a platoon of Gormin Soldiers to the ground floor. Gokai Blue and Gokai Silver remain behind to fight the soldiers while the other Gokaigers race toward the top floor. During the chaos, the former villains are released from their cells.

At the same time on Earth, Basco and Sally approach the now-unguarded Gokai Galleon with the intention of stealing the Gokai Treanger Box. Basco is confronted by an unfamiliar team claiming to be the 36th Super Sentai, Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters. After a short battle, Basco becomes distracted when Sally starts fighting over a banana and abandons his plan.

Back in Makuu Prison, Ashurada orders Gavan Bootleg to activate Makuu City. The effect slows the Gokaigers’ journey to the top floor by sending them through several different dimensions. Gokai Yellow and Gokai Green face and defeat Sneak Brothers Elder & Sister, while Gokai Red and Gokai Pink battle Monsu Doreiku, Kinggon, and Robogorg.

Gokai Red eventually reaches the highest floor and confronts Gavan Bootleg in an intense sword-and-gun battle. During the fight, Captain Marvelous uses his Gokai Gun while Gavan Bootleg fires the Laser Z Beam. Their shots ricochet from their swords and strike the shackles holding Retsu, freeing the Space Sheriff.

After rescuing Retsu, Gokai Red reunites with the others. The Gokaigers shoot through the prison floors so everyone can descend back to the ground level, then use the Gokai Galleon Buster to destroy Makuu Prison before returning to Earth.

Once back on Earth, the heroes confront Ashurada, Gavan Bootleg, and the Zangyack forces. Gavan fights his duplicate and destroys Gavan Bootleg with the Gavan Dynamic. At the same time, the Gokaigers defeat Ashurada using the Gokai Blast and Slash Final Wave.

Ashurada refuses to remain defeated and resurrects himself as a giant, forcing the heroes to summon their mecha. Kanzen GokaiOh joins with Electronic Starbeast Dol, and the two machines weaken Ashurada using the Dol Gokai Fire. Gavan and Gokai Red then combine their strength in the Gavan Marvelous Dynamic, finally destroying Ashurada.

Before Retsu and the Gokaigers say goodbye, Retsu reunites with Shiro and Daigoro. A voice from the sky asks the three veteran heroes to demonstrate their transformation poses for the crew. Shiro and Daigoro borrow their respective Ranger Keys, allowing all three men to transform into their heroic forms. Excited by the sight, Gai rushes toward them and asks for their autographs.