In classic Japanese horror films, megalithic monsters roam the countryside destroying everything in their path, however, at one Osaka restaurant nearly done in by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a band of non-marauding "Catzillas" that stepped in to save the day.

Naoki Teraoka's miniature-railway-themed restaurant was doing well until the pandemic struck. Like many others in the industry, as patronage dwindled, there wasn't much he could do. Things got so bad the restauranteur was actually thinking of closing his doors—until an unlikely hero in the form of a stray kitten turned things around.

Even in the midst of financial turmoil, Teraoka didn't have the heart to turn away the sickly kitten he'd noticed hanging around the restaurant. He and his family decided to adopt the baby cat they named Simba—only to realize Simba was part of a package deal.

Soon after they'd taken Simba in, another puss appeared at their window that turned out to be Simba's mom. With a lack of customers and surplus food to spare, Teraoka started feeding the stray kitty. Then, during a particularly rainy spell, Momma Cat showed up with three kittens in tow. Teraoka decided to adopt them in as well.

"It was a financially difficult time for us, but we decided to help the cat family. Yes, we thought we were helping them, but they were the ones who helped us," Teraoka told Bored Panda.

The cats began making themselves at home amidst the restaurant's perfectly scaled model train dioramas. Though diminutive in real life, the kitties towered over the miniature landscapes looking very much like something out of a movie that might easily be titled, "Attack of the 50-Foot Felines!"

Amused by the whimsical tableaux they created, Teraoka began taking photos of the cats lounging and playing in their tiny locomotive world and posting the results to Instagram.

Not only did the photos become a sensation, but they also inspired Teraoka with an idea to reinvent the restaurant that turned out to be a real winner.

While the model trains remained an attraction, Teraoka transformed the place into a cat sanctuary where patrons could interact with stray cats as they dined—and even adopt them! As customers began to flow in and popularity grew, he was able to expand his operations with a second-floor cat shelter and kitty hotel.

Teraoka tries to populate his establishment with felines that are most at risk. To date, he's traveled as far as 200 miles to make a rescue, has been responsible for finding homes for more than 60 strays, and has taken dozens more off the streets.

They say cats have nine lives. While Teraoka may have started out with the intention of saving one Simba's, it's a favor that's since been returned in monster proportions and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.

Who says you can't get "catisfaction" in this world?

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