Even a Guardians insider like Sean Gunn has asserted that his choice to die and save Peter doesn’t necessarily read as a somber moment, but as a moment of triumph because he teaches a valuable lesson to Rocket carries a weight to it that cannot be ignored — even if the dramatic payoff of that death eventually feels worth it in the end.
As one of the first truly significant deaths in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Yondu’s passing has sparked a massive debate among fans.
He is going to mourn Yondu for quite some time, just like the rest of us.