The Cat Returns is a light piece of fluff that can be enjoyed by animation fans of all ages, but which probably works best for a younger female crowd. There are moral lessons, but it's also got a good story with lots of humor and just enough action scenes to keep your attention from wandering. Otherwise there's not a whole lot of substance -- if you're looking for a more serious and slightly darker Ghibli film where a character gets drawn into another world, I would recommend "Spirited Away". The Cat Returns is a good movie if you want to sit back and relax and watch something for pure entertainment value, and is probably not a bad movie to watch with a group of friends, who can share in the laughter and absurdity together.

The Nodame Cantabile drama is a good show. It's not a great show nor is it a groundbreaking show, or a show that will change your outlook on life. It's just something that's fun to watch. The characters all have wacky quirks that make them interesting and amusing, and their development both musically and emotionally is both accessible and compelling. The plot has a good, rapid pacing that never lags, and doesn't waste time on fillers.
The best part of the presentation is being able to see the characters perform the pieces. It really makes a difference compared to the manga. To hear the piece is to understand what Nodame means by 'imaginging a field of flowers' for Mozart's "Spring" violin sonata, or Chiaki's comments that Rachaminoff's Piano Concerto No.

Mushishi is a relatively simple series artistically, musically, and in the set-up of the plot, but the content of each episode, and the relationship between humans, mushi, and how Ginko deals with them can be very complex. Due to the episodic nature, it's hard to get attached to anyone except Ginko himself, but the degree to which Ginko gets attached to people and places makes you at least want to try. The episodic nature also means that you can go back and watch any episode you feel like if you found any particular village or person or mushi rather interesting. This series is suited for people who want a more thoughtful series at the expense of gorgeous art, action-packed battles, extensive character development and teenaged angst, and is aimed at a slightly more mature audience.