I don't know about the "Toounit incident" you're talking about, but you do have to be careful about how much you're inspired by something. I think a good rule of thumb is that when something is inspired by something else, it'll have maybe two or three elements in common without being exactly the same. For instance, a similar color scheme, or mood, or subject matter.

Inspiration is a pretty loose term really.

Besides, I think the best way to develop your own style is to look at art you admire, draw elements from all of them, and use them to make your own style. I do that all the time.