Zettai Ryouiki - Television Tropes & Idioms

Grade B Zettai Ryouiki

... the golden ratio for the ultimate zettai ryouiki is 4:1:2.5 (length of skirt : zettai ryouiki : length of socks above knee) and the acceptable margin for error is ±25%. The ratios are generally off because it is thought that the ultimate zettai ryouiki would generate so much moé that the equivalent energy would be enough to vaporize the planet.
— Dark Mirage

A character that is equipped with such weapon can annihilate vast amounts of brain cells, which can amount to an intense moe~ness that is so destructive that one can overcome one's AT field in less than 0.03 seconds.
— kj1980, Japanese otaku lingo at AnimeSuki

"Absolute Territory" (絶対領域, zettai ryouiki in Japanese) describes the area of uncovered thigh between the skirt and the knee sock.

As per usual for fandom who obsess about costumes, this can be considered a moe attribute and thus, present prominently in character designs and schoolgirl outfits. The term originates from Neon Genesis Evangelion to designate an area of Absolute Terror, although it's had considerable semantic drift. In this case, it may jokingly refer to the fact it emphasizes a shorter skirt without actually becoming creepy and showing the underpants.

As if that wasn't enough, some even categorize it into five "Grades", from E to A. Only the top two (A and B) are considered true Zettai Ryouiki and they are only usable by female characters. Some researchers additionally introduce Grade S, the highest one which consists of Grade A plus further requirements to personality and hairstyle. See the linked Anime Deshou Deshou article for details and illustrations.

Stop looking at us like that.

Just to make it clear, Zettai Ryouiki is made up of three components: socks, skin, and skirt. An Action Girl may trade the latter for hotpants but if it doesn't include knee-highs and thighs, it's not Zettai Ryouiki. Panty Shot is an entirely different zone. See also Sexy Schoolwoman (who is usually showing a lot more leg than this) and Joshikousei.

As a relatively recent phenomenon, the symbolism of Zettai Ryouiki only recently began to crystallize (or, rather, become apparent). Since it is simultaneously incredibly sensual and hardly revealing, it symbolizes budding, innocent sexuality, one of The Ingenue who is already aware of her attractiveness but not (yet) cynical enough to put it to use (which is why many a Tsundere wears Zettai Ryouiki). And that's moe. And Serious Business. Of course, as with any symbols, Genre Savvy characters can invoke it on purpose even if far from the described archetype themselves.

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