is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for the North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the Japan national team.
Manaka represented Japan at the 2022 and 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups, reaching the final at both events and earning the Silver Ball at the latter, before making her senior debut in 2025.
Manaka made her professional debut for Mynavi Sendai of the WE League on 5 March 2023 and played 1,075 minutes across the season. She helped the team to a fourth-place finish in her first year as a professional, scoring four goals and adding one assist.
On 27 July 2023, the North Carolina Courage acquired Manaka on loan from Mynavi Sendai through the following June. She made her NWSL debut on 27 August 2023, starting in a draw against the Chicago Red Stars. On 6 September, she started in the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup semifinal against the Kansas City Current, becoming the youngest player in the start a game in the tournament. Three days later, she started in the final against Racing Louisville and scored the second goal of the 2âÂÂ0 victory. She was the youngest player to score in the competition and was named MVP of the title game. Head coach Sean Nahas called her a "star in the making" after the game. The following week, she scored her first regular-season goal against the Orlando Pride. On 15 October, she assisted Tyler Lussi's winner against the Washington Spirit on the final matchday of the season, clinching a playoff berth for the Courage.
On 27 June 2024, Manaka was signed by the Courage permanently through the 2025 season. On 7 July, she scored her first goal of the season when she chipped Racing Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund from distance, earning a nomination for NWSL Goal of the Week. On 5 October, after returning from the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, she set up a goal for Aline Gomes and scored the game winner against the San Diego Wave, clinching a playoff berth and winning NWSL Goal of the Week for her header on a deflected cross from Ryan Williams.
She scored her first NWSL brace on 17 May, bagging both goals in the win over the Chicago Stars, and was named the NWSL Player of the Week. On 21 June, she assisted Hannah Betfort's winner against the Houston Dash, becoming the second-youngest NWSL player (after Trinity Rodman) to record goal contributions in five consecutive regular-season games (four goals and three assists). On 17 October, she scored her first NWSL hat trick in a 4âÂÂ1 win over Bay FC, becoming the youngest NWSL player to score a hat trick, and was named NWSL Player of the Week for a second time. She finished the 2025 season with 11 goals, third in the NWSL. She was named NWSL Midfielder of the Year and NWSL Best XI First Team at the end of the season.
On 10 January 2025, the Courage extended Manaka's contract through the 2026 season.
Manaka played for Japan's under-20 side during the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in 2022, scoring one goal as Japan made it to the final.
She was called up to play at the 2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup, scoring 3 goals, but she left early to return to her club.
She was selected for her second FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in 2024. In the semifinals, she scored both goals in a 2âÂÂ0 victory over the Netherlands. She scored three goals in all at the tournament and received the Silver Ball as its second-best player.
Manaka received her first senior call-up to Japan in October 2024. She made her senior international debut on 20 February 2025, coming on as a substitute for Maika Hamano during a 4âÂÂ0 win against Australia at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. She scored her first international goal for the senior team on March 14, 2026 against the Philippines in the AFC Women's Asian Cup hosted by Australia.
JFA Academy Fukushima
North Carolina Courage
Japan
Individual