Are the Espada just Tite Kubo's attempt to copy the Akatsuki and Homunculi?

[BenjerminGaye]

No. It's supposed to mirror goteki 12.
it's kubo's extremely bad repeating habit.

See if you can spot more.

 

[Bankai11]

LOL, those who read long running shonen fights before DBZ (yes, DBZ was only the most famous worldwide, but not genre starter), then you should know that Akatsuki, Homonculi, Espada and EVERY "Villain Groups" are all copies of Kinnikuman's "Thirteen Devils" (aka 7 Akuma Chojin and 6 Akuma Kishi).