I always saw KND as kind of a precursor to Adventure Time and Steven Universe
In that it started with a bunch of silly one-off episodes, before diving into multi-episode story arcs and developing its own lore and mythology.
Pretty much along with the 11 minute episodes storytelling AT mastered meant a whole season could be spread out over the course of a year pretty easily without resorting to Disney scheduling (Gravity Faaaaaaaalls!)
I was never a fan but I never hated the show. I always felt it felt like an adult writing for a kids show. It also didn't help they never developed the characters from what I saw either.
In other news, it really saddens me Shirobako has next to no chance to air stateside let alone get a dub.