A class doesn't need to be a caster to have cast times.

Comparing Samurai to the likes of BLM, RDM and upcoming PCT is laughable at best. You're only casting your big hit, tsubame gaeshi is even instant.

The cast times being on your Iaijutsu is a huge part of what makes Samurai gameplay feel like it has its own flavor and feel. You're charging up your one of the hardest hitting strikes in your arsenal and the wind up helps that impact land dramatically.

You *are* building up your resource to then use on weaponskills. Setsugekka, Goken, and Higanbana are all weaponskills. Where do you think they got the idea for the Nadi system on Monk?

The point was never "your casting magically powered abilities" the point is "You are focusing all of your gathered power to unleash immensely powerful attacks and it takes a small amount of time to do so"