Former AKB48 member Manaka Taguchi has announced that she has joined talent agency En-Link, effective July 17.

Taguchi graduated from AKB48 in June after nearly nine years with the group. She joined as a 16th-generation member in 2016, was appointed captain of Team K in 2021, and released her first photobook, 'Suki to Ietara,' earlier this year.

Under her new agency, Taguchi plans to expand her career through variety shows, acting, radio, and stage productions. She is also scheduled to hold her first fan club event since graduating from AKB48, called 'Manaka Taguchi Fan Meeting Vol.1,' on July 26 at Tricolore Theater in Tokyo.

In a message to fans, Taguchi said, "I hope to challenge myself by gaining experience in a variety of fields, including variety shows, radio, and stage productions. I will continue to do my best so I can show everyone who supports me every day an even stronger version of myself."