Which of the following can NOT be characterized as a type of 2D animation?

Cinematic animation primarily refers to the overall use of animation in a cinematic context, often incorporating a variety of techniques and styles, including both 2D and 3D elements to create a film or video production. While it can include 2D animation techniques, it is not exclusively characterized as 2D animation. In contrast, cel animation, path animation, and morphing are distinctly techniques associated with 2D animation.

Cel animation, the traditional method of creating animated films, involves drawing each frame on transparent sheets and photographing them in sequence. Path animation involves moving an object along a predefined path within a 2D space, thereby generating animation that is inherently 2D. Morphing, which involves smoothly transitioning shapes from one form to another, is also a technique used in 2D animation to represent changes in objects or characters.

Thus, the correct answer directly addresses the broader categorization of cinematic animation, which does not solely signify a type of 2D animation but rather a medium that may leverage various animation styles.