User blog comment:Xilinoc/Ch. 655 - THE MIRACLE/@comment-1248963-20151210172908/@comment-5657895-20151210225053

I've read that the Elites might be based off of the theology surrounding the Nephilim, the race of half angels, half men (whcih fits the Quincy to a T). There's four kinds of Nephilim:

Emim — the fearful ones - Pernida Rephaim — the dead ones - Askin Anakim — the [long]-necked ones - Lille Gibborim — the mighty ones - Gerard

Lille's form is likely based off of the apocrypha surrounding angels, which had monstrous forms. Some had thousands of eyes, or four heads (including an eagle and a lion), and multiple wings. Birds were also often used to symbolize angels, but since Lille is a villain, instead of a dove or an eagle, Kubo likely used an owl to emphasize him as a villain.

As for Gerard, it's just one chapter. He could have more to his abilities than just size and strength. He hasn't even drawn his sword just yet.