It does. The CGI is mostly used for the single animals and Gattai scenes. Some finishers also use CGI, but usually, the combined mecha do have physical models.

I loved it circa 2001 because:

- SO MANY POWER ANIMALS
- OP theme
- Our first 21st century Super Sentai team
- Kakuranger palette!
- Cellphone transformation device
- Yabaiba and Tsue Tsue, the Skinner and Krabappel of Super Sentai

I love the Hell out of the Gaoranger Mecha. Even if it did start the trend of having a million mecha and combinations of Mecha in every Sentai show.

GaoHunter and GaoIcarus are two of my favorite Mechas ever!