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alt title(s): Knee High Socks; Absolute Territory; Golden Thigh Ratio; Knee Socks
Still relatively unknown to the local fashion scene, lies an incredibly deadly heaven-drilling wear... Just a quick glance of a girl equipped with Zettai Ryouiki can set the hearts of many on fire, ranging from your usual otaku to the president of the USA... With this, you will be able to rule the world (especially Singapore) and nobody will understand why they are so insanely attracted to you.

Grade B Zettai Ryouiki

"Absolute Territory" (zettai ryouiki in Japanese) describes the area of uncovered thigh between the skirt and the stockings that's a total magnet for Male Gaze.

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 females. 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, or see this image for a quick reference.

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 thigh-highs and visible skin, 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 incredibly sensual without revealing the "naughty bits", 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.

This academic treatise explains the appeal of Zettai Ryouiki as part of a more universal appeal of half-hidden beauty (also exemplified in such classics as a half-unbuttoned shirt, a semi-transparent laced dress, etc.). A revealing glimpse combined with a conservative cover-up of the other captivating parts is a classical bait for the curiousness and a powerful incentive for fantasy, which, applied to a girl, inevitably turns into attraction or, in more extreme cases, lust.

Zettai Ryouiki is currently the most popular fetish in Japan. (Or at least the one most people will admit to.) So Yeah.

Special Note: This trope also covers knee/thigh-high boots as well as socks. In fact, if you believe That Other Wiki, this trope is the whole reason why go-go boots, and all of their successors in years since, were made.

See also Stocking Filler (for stockings without the skirts), Mini Dress Of Power. Not to be confused with Zeta Reticuli, where the Greys hang out.

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