So we agree. Increase the number of battle animations and make them smooth and interesting. Still don't need racial differences. Their different skeletal structures will already give them slightly different animations i.e. Lalafells run "quicker" while Roegadyns trample along.
For example: Elezens shouldn't be swiping their blade with any more finesse than the other races unless they are a fencer. Then any fencer of any race would be swiping their blade with finesse. It's not a matter of resources it's a matter of continuity in the game world. There will always be more stuff later, resources aren't the issue. The developers don't need to contradict themselves when they've been trying to make a more diverse Eorzean populace as opposed to the strict segregation laid out in XI.