FFXI actually had unique combat and casting animations for each race/gender combo as well. Even the combat stances for weapons varied for each race/gender combo.

The only thing about the whole being the last of new races thing tho... They said that about Au ra as well back after it was added.

Similarly they said they wouldn't add a job again outside of an expansion after they did NIN but we got BLU later mid cycle as a limited job.

So essentially I would take it as "we currently do not have plans" response or statement.

As for sharing or swapping animations/emotes. There's really only a few I think would fit doing so such as sitting/standing poses or the idle weapon drawn poses.