First of all. This is awesome. I'm curious to find out whether there is a plan to implement an animation to go along with it. Will there be?

In the letter XI video, the GLD does it. However rather than drawing his sword while moving it's more like switching between passive and active modes while sliding (And not in a cool way)
New animations are due for 1.9. Is this when we'll see an update on that as well?

Personally I don't care too much either way. Just would like to bring it to attention.
Lets do it SE! Couldn't really take that long to implement could it? The animations are already there.