>>19189572 is correct. An additional reason why /vp/ was created is due to the nature of Pokémon games, you have to exchange friend-codes, discuss what you are going to do, and pretty much have a namefag conversation to be able to accomplish shit.
This is close to impossible to accomplish on /v/ today, and considering how namefaging is universally frowned upon and annoys the shit out of people. Its simply a natural progression to make it a separate board to make it better for all parties.
Even if MT wish to unify the boards again, i doubt it would be a good idea considering how pissed people would be to see stuff they gotten so used to have naturally filtered. Thus comic related can never become reality again.