there's still ways to make them seem slow without actually compromising speed by a large amount...
They already improved the Armor animations in FEDS.
They also don't have to move more than two steps, so they're much more tolerable as well. Generals have a lance so long that they can just attack from across the screen (it sort of slides in the grip to do so).
Also, every character's animation is more realistic now, even the Hero & Swordmaster. THe Armor Knights definitely fit in more with the crowd now.