In Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger (2011), GaoLion is not a mecha belonging to the main team but rather the "Greater Power" (Grand Power) of the Gaorangers. It is the red lion Power Animal originally introduced in Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger (2001; adapted in the West as Power Rangers Wild Force), where it was piloted by GaoRed and formed the core body of the primary mecha GaoKing. In Gokaiger, the pirate Rangers summon GaoLion from the floating island Animarium using the Gaoranger Ranger Keys; it debuts in episode 9, the tribute episode to Gaoranger. In the US adaptation Power Rangers Super Megaforce (2014) it corresponds to the Red Lion Wildzord.

For its combat function, GaoLion merges with GokaiOh, the Gokaigers' main mecha, to form GaoGokaiOh. GokaiOh detaches its legs and slots into the lion body's shoulder mounts, creating a centaur-type configuration — a deliberate homage to GaoKentaurus from Gaoranger. Its signature finisher is the "Gokai Animal Heart," in which GaoLion fires an energy beam from its mouth to weaken the enemy before GokaiOh delivers the killing blow with the Gokai Slash. In Super Megaforce the combined form is called the Legendary Wild Force Megazord.

The DX toy was released in 2011 by Bandai Japan as "Gokai Machine Series 03: DX GaoLion." It is noticeably larger than the other auxiliary mecha in this sub-line and, like the Gokai Machines of that period, is made entirely of plastic with no meaningful die-cast content. The lion connects with the separately sold DX GokaiOh to form the centaur combination described above. Unlike many Japan-exclusive zords, this one did receive a Power Rangers release: in 2014 Bandai America issued a counterpart as the "Wild Force Red Lion" within the Power Rangers Super Megaforce Zord Builder line (roughly 28 cm / 11 inches long, packaged with a Wild Force Ranger Key that triggers a spring-loaded missile from the mouth). This US variant breaks down into twelve parts and can be combined with the DX Legendary Megazord.