If I remember correctly the term did come form Neon Genesis Evangelion but wasn't used this way, it was what they called the "danger zone", "Absolute Territory" or the point beyond the AT field or something. there wasn't anyone both wearing it and calling it that back then.
Until later when some NGE fan doing something related to thighhighs wanted a name for the gap between the skirt and socks and they jokingly called it Zettai Ryouiki /Absolute Territory and it became a meme from there.
The Grades came not long after because it was hard to explain the difference between an "A" and "B" precisely and people were misusing it, probably why we now have types C and D (which I think are plain old socks but people still call it ZR), and probably only why "A" and "B" are considered true Zettai Ryouiki.
The ratio probably came from some very observant fans who saw a pattern, but now the creators know of and use it. Kinda like those Fan Sub memes that get added to official releases.
Rin was one of many S ranks at the time,(VN era not the anime) and people started to noticed a pattern and that became the in-joke that now some creators intentionally put it in their works like the Overly Long Gag of Rie Kugimiya characters
listed under General.
Hope this info helps in someway.
Also this isn't important now, but could become a trope at some point, I think 2ch's currently looking for the name of that thing girls do when they run a bag strap between their breasts to make them look larger. that's how most of these fan names get started.
EDIT: They named it! "Paisura パイスラ or in laymen term’s “strap cleavage.”
Google "Paisura" for examples.
edited 21st Jul '11 9:13:29 PM by No9
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Indeed, a number of the complaints so far completely puzzle me, as they don't seem to address any of the changes actually made in the rewrite.
If I had one complaint about the rewrite, it might that it still preserves too much of the Take That!, Fandumb of the original! (And I'm not even a fan.)
Speaking words of fandom: let it squee, let it squee.
I agree the rewrite isn't horrible. But I don't really feel it improves the current write up, so why change it?
Also, what Take That!?
I don't see any Take That! in either versions.
edited 7th Jul '11 6:04:47 PM by Sackett
Perhaps it's just me, but originally I thought it's disorganised. For example, paragraphs 9 covers back the variations issue already visited in paragraph 5, making it seem like a mishmash between multiple editors. So while fetishistic content is an issue, organisation is at least as prevalent.
I also think it tones down the obsessive tone considerably, so much that I kind of agree with Daremo now that it's maybe too dry.
@ No9:
Thank you for the information. I think the grading thing should, to illustrate, make its way to the laconic. Something like "Area denoting the bare skin between short skirt and thigh-highs. Also invites the trend of grading the visible amount of such area."
This will impact the image policy. I'm torn between using A
◊ and B
◊ for the image.
I do like the new writeup a bit better although it could use a little more detail on things added back (and the fact there are gogo boot types that go above the knee such as Nina Trinity image I linked earlier.)
I would prefer the ABC one or the one with the ranking. (although we would have to X out those below C ranking as those are people sit on chairs.)
edited 7th Jul '11 9:00:57 PM by Raso
Sparkling and glittering! Jan-Ken-Pon!Perhaps it would help if I list out the things that I omitted:
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.
Those are the missing parts, more or less.
We mentioned the variations of using boots instead of socks, and someone pointed out that since go-go boots are not typically that long, it might invite misuse. Well, not misuse, but a flood of grade C/D ZR, which as you mentioned, are People Sitting On Chairs.
Do we need to doctor the image or just explain it in the caption that C and below don't count?
edited 7th Jul '11 9:14:52 PM by Catalogue
The words above are to be read as if they are narrated by Morgan Freeman.The only ommited part that I think should be in there is
If we could clean that up a bit and put it in I would be fine with it I think. Black ones are almost always that (white ones vary)
edited 7th Jul '11 9:22:58 PM by Raso
Sparkling and glittering! Jan-Ken-Pon!It is its original theme for this though. White ones seem to symbolize extreme innocence (even if they are crazy), black ones are more aware of their sexuality and are connected far more to Tsundere than white. [1]
.
There are several extremely innocent 10 year old wearers that are Tsundere like Nagi from Hayate No Gotoku, Astarotte from Lotte No Omocha Madoka from Madoka Magica and they all wear white.
Black is more connected to the extremely violent, mature or flirty types.
edited 7th Jul '11 9:44:42 PM by Raso
Sparkling and glittering! Jan-Ken-Pon!I have to say that does sound a bit creepy. Maybe someone can rephrase it, or at least try to. This will be very subjective, however.
I agree, I think we ought to cut anything below the knee (that would sound very ominous in an emergency room). Grade C and below is People Sitting On Chairs.
The words above are to be read as if they are narrated by Morgan Freeman.Grade C is not People Sit On Chairs its Grade D and below that is. (the examples list is not nearly big with C examples.)
And its the reason why its done, And I dont see anything bad with it at all.
edited 7th Jul '11 9:55:50 PM by Raso
Sparkling and glittering! Jan-Ken-Pon!Then to bad? Things are made for a reason. This world isnt made on everything absolutely PC.
Sparkling and glittering! Jan-Ken-Pon!Is there any consensus among the fandom about whether we begin in C or B?
The words above are to be read as if they are narrated by Morgan Freeman.Right, according to the linked article, we begin at C. So it's A, B, and C, considering that S is A plus something else.
edited 7th Jul '11 10:03:54 PM by Catalogue
The words above are to be read as if they are narrated by Morgan Freeman.@Catalogue: We don't have to follow that article. We can start with above-the-knee.
In fact, we probably should, since it would help keep the page length down to a manageable level.
@Raso: It would be nice to not worry if someone's looking over your shoulder when reading this site.
edited 7th Jul '11 10:11:06 PM by EnglishIvy
Crown Description:
Does Grade C Zettai Ryouiki count as an example?

Originally I was going to make roughly the same post Sackett made, but looking at both, I find the rewrite, as it currently is, ok. It's a bit dryer, but also better organised. I'm not sure about losing the paragraph on the symbolism though, and would chang the reference to Girlish Pigtails to Twin Tails. No one looking at Zettai Ryouki is going to use Girlish Pigtails over Twin Tails.
Creed of the Happy Pessimist:Always expect the worst. Then, when it happens, it was only what you expected. All else is a happy surprise.