I recall hearing somewhere that the new Tamiya Shermans (E8 ETO, Korean War, and Firefly VC) were reboxed Asuka/Tasca kits. Not a bad thing. I was looking at a review of the Tamiya kit and the moldings look a whole lot different than the Asuka JGSDF M4A3E8 I have. What's the story?

Shouldn't believe everything you hear! There are several reviews here on Armorama that show the parts, and other than the general idea of the lower hull being separate panels (instead of a complete tub) they are completely different kits.

As Orville said to Wilbur, "You're Wright." I looked up the Firefly and that does look like a Asuka rebox with some ancient Tamiya Tommies tossed in.

This one, tank is definitely Asuka, figures are definitely Tamiya. Buy let’s hope they continue to rebox and release them.

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10271349

Ah - I was looking at 35359, which is reviewed here: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/13740 It definitely is NOT Asuka, but the Firefly (25174) is.

That one is all Tamiya

So is 35346, in the topic title.

Yup 👍

The Firefly was a limited edition and has not been available for a couple of years

There was a release of both the Firefly and the E8 from Tasca about 1 year prior to Tamiya releasing their own E8. The box was no 25175 and it came with four figures
Al

Yup, Tamiya issued Asuka's Easy 8 kit before they did their own version. Asuka's was much more detailed, but the HVSS was also needlessly complicated, as usual. I detest the way they have over-engineered the suspension units, which are a nightmare to assemble. On the plus side, the Asuka periscopes can be posed open (unlike Tamiya, which inexplicably insists on "blind" tanks with all periscopes shut down), and the grab handles are separate, not solid styrene rectangles. I have discovered that the Tamiya lower hull fits the Asuka upper hull with minimal fuss, so I can grab a cheap Tamiya Easy 8 at Hobby Lobby, and use Tamiya's delightful suspension with Asuka's better detailed upper hull. Haven't decided yet if Asuka's workable track is worth the effort.

Just now, Tamiya have released Asuka's M4A3(76)W to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. They have included their own US infantry figures, and both companies' logos appear on the box. This is quite welcome, since Tamiya's distribution is much wider than Asuka's. Asuka's VVSS running gear is fussier to assemble than other makers', but I find it acceptable if I use the solid styrene spacers instead of the silly sponge rubber springs.