I can't stop you even if I wanted to, which I don't. All you need to do is load the gif into Aseprite or something and it will divide it up into frames.

That would look weird with the scabbard!

I did make a prototype for a Castlevania/DMC style game before I turned it into a JRPG so that's definitely where the inspiration comes from.

Not mirroring it means that I can't do things like back attacks Final Fantasy style. I'd just have to make them surprise attacks and change the initiative values instead, but I'm perfectly fine with that.

Thanks, and I will! I've been working on some new characters now though and I want to flesh them out before I proceed with animating so we'll see what happens!