After working as an assistant to Toshiaki Iwashiro, he created the one-shot Hungry Joker, which was later serialized as a full series.

[2] In 2011, Tabata entered the one-shot Hungry Joker in the Golden Future Cup [ja], which earned first place in the award.

[3][4] Following Hungry Joker's completion, Tabata published another one-shot, titled Black Clover, in Shōnen Jump Next!!.

[10] Tabata has cited Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball as a major influence over his work, even stating it was one of the main reasons he decided to become a manga artist.

[11] Tabata has also cited Kentaro Miura's Berserk[12] and Tite Kubo's Bleach as sources of inspiration.