Episode 148 — Shiny, Gritty & Growing the Empire

Recorded: September 20, 2026Released: October 5, 2026

The 501stCast is back with another transmission from Vader’s Fist! This month, we’re checking in on a growing Legion, celebrating some outstanding members, sharing mission reports from around the Empire, and finally settling one of costuming’s great debates: shiny or gritty?

The Empire continues to grow! As of September 20, the 501st Legion stands at 13,449 active troopers, adding 79 members since our last update.

Costume approvals also came roaring back with 168 newly approved costumes, including:

• 28 Denizens

• 23 TIE Pilots

• 18 Imperial Officers

• 13 Sith Lords

Apparently, the armorers, tailors, flight crews and Sith wardrobe departments have been busy.

We catch up on some of the latest news from around the Star Wars and 501st communities:

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

Legion Census

Legion Merch

Legion CRL Forum

A familiar voice gets a little recognition this month!

Our own Anthony Pizzuto, SL-22381 of the Northeast Remnant Garrison, was named August Trooper of the Month for going above and beyond behind the scenes to support fellow Legion members and embody the spirit of Bad Guys Doing Good.

For more check out the Trooper of the Month Section on the 501st forums

Liana Kangas more at Honorary Member section of the 501st forums

Last month we asked the Legion:

Do you prefer your costumes shiny and fresh off the Imperial assembly line—or gritty, weathered and looking like they’ve actually seen some action?

We hear from members, including submissions gathered at Fan Expo Canada, and the crew weighs in on where they stand in the great weathering debate.

We pause to remember members who have entered the ranks of the Eternal Legionnaires:

Gizelle Evangelista — TI-90805, Philippine GarrisonAlan C. Hickey — TI-30971, Florida Garrison, Tampa Bay Squad

Buckets off to their families, friends and fellow troopers. Their names and memories remain part of the Legion we carry forward.

For more information check the Member Memorials section in the 501st forums

We want to hear from you:

Which planet in the Star Wars universe would you most want to troop on?

Send us your answer, topic ideas, interview suggestions or general transmissions:

Email: podcast@501stcast.com

Voicemail: +1 551-501-TALK (8255)

Facebook: The 501stCast

Web: 501stcast.com

Your response might make it into our next transmission.

Anthony Pizzuto — SL-22381, Northeast Remnant Garrison

Mike Hinton — TK-5351, Garrison Carida

Chris Nitro — TR-82065, Northeast Remnant Garrison

Mikey Bouchereau — TB-60614, Bluegrass Garrison

Matt Schraeder — TB-99920, Starkiller Garrison

Follow or subscribe wherever you listen so you don't miss our next transmission.

Until next time, keep your armor clean, your blasters charged, and remember:

We’re the Bad Guys Doing Good.

Episode 147

Recording Date: Aug 23, 2026

Release Date: Sep 5, 2026

Legion by the Numbers

⁠www.501st.com/holocron⁠ for active troopers

News

• At the time of this episode release the stars wars celebration panel applications will be open.

• D23 brought some big star wars news - with the announcement of release date and tease trailer for Ahsoka season 2 - With the release date is Jan 20, 2027.

• Star Wars Starfigher had its official logo reveal, with a special D23 only trailer (I cant wait to see what costumes they revealed in this or a new public trailer) Starfighter will be release in May of 2027

Newest CRLs - ⁠https://www.501st.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=91327&hilit=crl&start=410⁠

TotM/CotQ - ⁠https://www.501st.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=206⁠

TOTM

HM/FoTL - ⁠https://www.501st.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=67⁠

• Honorary Member Induction - Nelson Lee

⁠Honorary Member Induction - Jimmy Smits⁠

Mission Reports - ⁠https://www.501st.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=30⁠

Our question last month was: What is the one word or phrase that describes the 501st for you? So before we give our thoughts we did get an email:

Next Episode/Contact Reminders & Final Wrap-up

We want to hear from you! Send us ideas for topics that you want to hear about, interview suggestions, or even just your well wishes. For now, help us kick off our next episode. Email, call or message us answering the following question.

Do you prefer "Shiny" or "Gritty" costumes?

• Write to us at podcast@501stcast.com

• Use country code +1 to leave us a voicemail at 1-551-501-TALK (8255)

• Message us on FB at https://www.facebook.com/the501stCast

• All of these can be found at our home on the web ⁠501stcast.com⁠

Email the hosts at:

Mike Hinton ⁠⁠⁠TK5351@501stcast.com⁠⁠⁠

Chris Nitro ⁠⁠⁠nitro@501stcast.com⁠⁠⁠

Mikey Bouchereau ⁠⁠⁠mikey@501stcast.com⁠⁠⁠

Matt Schraeder ⁠⁠⁠TB99920@501stcast.com⁠⁠⁠

Anthony Pizzuto ⁠⁠⁠ap@501stcast.com⁠⁠

Until next time, keep your armor clean, your blasters charged, and remember: We’re the Bad Guys Doing Good. Thanks for tuning in!

Disclaimer:

The 501st Legion is a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans. While it is not sponsored by Lucasfilm Ltd. it follows generally accepted ground rules for Star wars fan groups. Star Wars, its characters, costumes, and all associated items are the intellectual property of Lucasfilm. Copyright & Trademark Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.

Recording Date: Jul 19, 2026

Release Date: Aug 5, 2026

Welcome to the 501stCast—the official podcast of the 501st Legion, Vader’s Fist. The orders are in, the shuttle is fueled, and your deployment begins now. My name is Anthony Pizzuto, SL-22381 of the Northeast Remnant Garrison, and today I’m joined by…

Mike Hinton, TK-5351 from Garrison Carida

Mikey Bouchereau, TB-60614 of the Bluegrass Garrison

And I’m Matt Schraeder, TB-99920 from Starkiller Garrison.

Tossing it back to you AP for our Legion by the Numbers segment

Legion by the Numbers

www.501st.com/holocron for active troopers

Legacy MemberDB for costume/totals

Now for your latest Imperial personnel report.

This month, the ranks continued to grow, though at a slightly more relaxed summer pace. We added 49 active troopers, a 370-basis-point increase, bringing fresh reinforcements into the Legion.

On the wardrobe front, we added 95 new costumes, bringing the grand total to 35,020 approved costumes across the galaxy. That marks a 270-basis-point month-over-month increase.

Now, this is by far the lowest increase in both active troopers and approved costumes since we began tracking back in March. But we’ll chalk that up to the sunny summer months. Even the Empire apparently takes a little shore leave.[MS - Shore leave or planet leave? I’m not sure about the official terminology]

As for this month’s tactical highlights, TIE Fighter Pilots saw the biggest movement with 12 new pilots joining the ranks. So once again, the skies remain secure.

Right behind them were 12 new Imperial Officers, which means the chain of command is stronger, sharper, and somehow still requesting the proper forms in triplicate.

And tied for third, with 9 new additions each, are the Stormtroopers, Imperial Crewmen, and Bounty Hunters.

More news after this.

Newest CRLs - https://www.501st.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=91327&hilit=crl&start=410

TotM/CotQ - https://www.501st.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=206

TOTM

HM/FoTL - https://www.501st.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=67

• Honorary Member Induction - Nelson Lee

Honorary Member Induction - Jimmy Smits

Mission Reports - https://www.501st.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=30

Our question last month was: What is the one word or phrase that describes the 501st for you? So before we give our thoughts we did get an email:

Next Episode/Contact Reminders & Final Wrap-up

We want to hear from you! Send us ideas for topics that you want to hear about, interview suggestions, or even just your well wishes. For now, help us kick off our next episode. Email, call or message us answering the following question.

• What is the best “after-troop meal tradition" in your area?

• Write to us at podcast@501stcast.com

• Use country code +1 to leave us a voicemail at 1-551-501-TALK (8255)

• Message us on FB at https://www.facebook.com/the501stCast

• All of these can be found at our home on the web 501stcast.com

Email the hosts at:

Mike Hinton ⁠⁠⁠TK5351@501stcast.com⁠⁠⁠

Chris Nitro ⁠⁠⁠nitro@501stcast.com⁠⁠⁠

Mikey Bouchereau ⁠⁠⁠mikey@501stcast.com⁠⁠⁠

Matt Schraeder ⁠⁠⁠TB99920@501stcast.com⁠⁠⁠

Anthony Pizzuto ⁠⁠⁠ap@501stcast.com⁠⁠

And I’m Anthony Pizzuto, SL-22381 from the Northeast Remnant Garrison

Until next time, keep your armor clean, your blasters charged, and remember: We’re the Bad Guys Doing Good. Thanks for tuning in!

Disclaimer:

The 501st Legion is a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans. While it is not sponsored by Lucasfilm Ltd. it follows generally accepted ground rules for Star wars fan groups. Star Wars, its characters, costumes, and all associated items are the intellectual property of Lucasfilm. Copyright & Trademark Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.