Master Chinan is a character introduced in the anime series Gundam Build Fighters. He serves as the founder and grandmaster of the Gunpla Shingyo School, a traditional institution dedicated to the art of building Gunpla. He is the mentor of Mao Yasaka, a young Gunpla builder and fighter from the Kansai region. Master Chinan is an older man with a bald head, white hair, a mustache and goatee, and eyebrows that are notably large. He is often seen wearing sandals and traditional attire, reflecting his status as a sensei.

His background is rooted in deep experience with Gunpla crafting and battling. He owns a massive collection of Gunpla models as well as a gallery of figures depicting female characters from various Gundam series, a hobby that suggests a personal appreciation for the franchise's designs beyond just combat applications. His own primary Gunpla is the Kowloon Gundam, a modified version of Master Asia's unit from Mobile Fighter G Gundam, and he also possesses a Master Gundam with gold-colored armor plates.

Master Chinan's personality is reserved, strict, and disciplined. He upholds traditional values in Gunpla building and fighting, emphasizing technique, precision, and dedication. He is not showy or emotional; rather, he is analytical and expects his students to follow a rigorous code of conduct. His teaching methods are severe, pushing his pupils to master fundamentals before attempting advanced techniques. His motivations center on preserving the integrity of the Gunpla Shingyo School and guiding his students to become true masters of their craft. He takes pride in his role as a teacher and is committed to passing on his knowledge.

In the story, Master Chinan appears primarily in the latter half of the original Gundam Build Fighters series. His most notable scene occurs in episode seventeen, "Model of the Heart," during the World Championship finals. Mao Yasaka, struggling to find a strategy to defeat Sei and Reiji, returns to his mentor seeking the ultimate technique. Master Chinan agrees to teach him a special move, demonstrating his importance as a source of wisdom and growth for his student. This episode highlights his role as a catalyst for Mao's character development, as Mao learns to channel his passion into a disciplined approach.

Key relationships include his student Mao Yasaka, whom he trains and advises with fatherly authority. There is no indication of direct interaction with the main protagonists Sei Iori or Reiji beyond the tournament context; his connection is primarily through Mao. He also has a passing association with other members of the Gunpla Shingyo School, though they are not prominently featured.

Master Chinan's development is minimal but effective. He remains a static figure of stability and tradition, but his willingness to impart his ultimate technique to Mao shows a belief in the growth of his student rather than personal glory. His abilities are not extensively showcased in battle, but he is implied to be a highly skilled builder and fighter. His Gunpla, the Kowloon Gundam, is noted for modifications that emphasize martial arts-like techniques, including energy wave attacks. His teaching style emphasizes the importance of discipline, hard work, and perseverance over raw talent, which aligns with the themes of the series.

Overall, Master Chinan functions as a traditional master archetype within the Gundam Build Fighters universe, grounding the competitive world of Gunpla battles in a sense of heritage and craftsmanship. His presence adds depth to Mao's character arc and reinforces the value of mentorship.